12 Inches of Sin is an annual art exhibition based in Las Vegas, which since its inception in 2010, has focused on exploring facets of human identity, sexuality, gender, and artistic expression.[1][2][3] The exhibition accepts a wide range of art forms such as paintings, photographs, digital art, sculpture, illustration, mixed media and short films, all adhering to a specific rule that each piece not exceed 12 inches in any dimension.[4] Out of all submissions, 36 artists are selected by a panel of 12 judges.[5][6] To date, artists from 26 countries have participated in this exhibition.[7]
| 12 Inches of Sin | |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Annually |
| Location(s) | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Years active | 14 |
| Inaugurated | 2010 |
| Participants | 36 artists annually |
| Website | www |
History
editThe inception of 12 Inches of Sin can be traced back to 2010 when Laura Henkel, a sexologist and gallerist, founded it at her Sin City Gallery.[8][9] It started with 40 submissions from five countries in its first year, which increased to 300 submissions from 26 countries by its seventh year.[7] As the number of art submissions surged, exhibition categories were introduced to accommodate traditional and new media artists, curated by Henkel.[8][9]
The exhibition was envisioned as a platform for fostering learning about sex education through visual arts, aiming to challenge preconceived notions of sexuality and provide a nuanced, inclusive perspective on human identity, sexuality, gender, and expression.[1][2][3]
The event attracts artists worldwide to the Las Vegas Arts District.[5][6][7] In 2016, the event incorporated Immersive, a multi-media art event that showcased international performance artists known for their boundary-pushing work.[10] Alongside this, the event featured activities such as shibari demonstrations.[10] Sin City Gallery was included in the Best 25 Art Galleries in America list by the American Art Awards and received the Best Gallery in Nevada award.[11][12][13] The exhibition is only open to visitors over the age of 21.[3]
The Juried Exhibition
editThe requirement for all submitted works is to strictly adhere to the size constraint of not being more than 12 inches in any direction, and to thematically delve into aspects of eroticism and sensuality.[4] The artworks, which come from both emerging and established artists globally, are selected on the basis of their "sophistication, intelligence, wit, and provocation".[14][15][16] The exhibition comprises three categories:
- 12 Inches of Sin: This category includes traditional forms of art like painting, collage, sculpture, drawings and mixed media. A panel of twelve judges selects 12 artists for exhibition and also names the Best in Show awardee, whose work is featured in an exclusive exhibition curated by Sin City Gallery.[17][18]
- Obscura: This category encompasses photography, digital art, video, and all new technologies. Similar to the first category, 12 artists are chosen to exhibit, and a Best in Show awardee is selected, who is then featured in an exclusive exhibition curated by Sin City Gallery.
- Le Salon des Refusés du Péché: This category provides a curated selection of commendable works from all the art submissions and includes all mediums. It also features exhibits of artists invited from 12 Inches of Sin and Obscura.[19]
The call for submissions happens annually from July through August.[19] The event continues to grow and a portion of the proceeds from the exhibition are donated to the Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a charitable organization.[20]
Winners
editThe following are the Best in Show winners to date:[21][19]
| Year | Work | Artist | Country | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Mountain Climber | Allan Teger | United States | 12 Inches of Sin |
| II | Oceana | Jeff Wack | United States | 12 Inches of Sin |
| III | Double Cross | JP Rakehorn | United Kingdom | 12 Inches of Sin |
| IV | Box Grid | Raymond Elstad | United States | 12 Inches of Sin |
| V | Spoiled Ram | Kei Kusuma | Indonesia | 12 Inches of Sin |
| Bus Stop | think tank ART | Germany | Obscura | |
| VI | Liquor | Paul Butvila | Canada | 12 Inches of Sin |
| Serve You | Dennis Keim | United States | Obscura | |
| VII | The Couple | Eric Wallis | United States | 12 Inches of Sin |
| Corset N Hook | Milan Von Brünn | United States | Obscura |
References
edit- ^ a b "Gallery to Feature Art Outtakes from '12 Inches of Sin' Show". The Las Vegas Review-Journal. 29 June 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- ^ a b "Art Exhibit Challenges Ideas of Eroticism". National Public Radio. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- ^ a b c "One Sexologist's Quest to Stimulate Las Vegas' Art Scene". The Creators Project. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
- ^ a b "Artist Call Detail: 12 Inches of Sin International Juried Art Exhibition". California Arts Council. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- ^ a b "Call for Art Invites Opportunity to Exhibit: '12 Inches of Sin' at Sin City Gallery in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Arts Commission. 19 August 2015. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- ^ a b "12 Inches of Sin and Le Salon des Refusés du Péché 3rd Annual International Juried Art Exhibition". 18b: Las Vegas Arts District. 1 April 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- ^ a b c "12 Inches of Sin Opening Exhibition". Las Vegas Arts Commission. 28 February 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- ^ a b "Q&A: Dr. Laura Henkel Discusses '12 Inches of Sin' Kickstarter Campaign". XBiz: Adult Industry News. 2 March 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- ^ a b REVIEW-JOURNAL, CAROL CLING LAS VEGAS (2016-04-05). "12 Inches of Sin art competition grows from modest beginnings". Archived from the original on 2016-06-01. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
- ^ a b "Sin City Gallery's '12 Inches of Sin' expands in its fifth year with 'Immersive'". Retrieved 2016-07-10.
- ^ Lisa Derrick (2016-04-05). ""12 Inches of Sin V" Art Gets Sexy, Immersive in Las Vegas April 9". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
- ^ Taylor, F. Andrew (2016-04-06). "Daylong art event to revolve around '12 Inches of Sin' show". Retrieved 2016-07-10.
- ^ "Desert Companion - August 2018". Issuu. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
- ^ "The relocated '12" of Sin' expands into a three-day festival". LasVegasWeekly.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
- ^ "12 Inches of Sin festival brings the sexy art back". Nevada Public Radio. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
- ^ "Erotic Art Show Organizer: 'This Is Art, Not Porn'". Nevada Public Radio. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
- ^ "Juxtapoz Magazine - Exploring Eroticism: 12 Inches of Sin V". Retrieved 2016-07-13.
- ^ "Call for Art to Exhibit '12 Inches of Sin'". Arts4Nevada. Archived from the original on 2016-08-16. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
- ^ a b c "'12 Inches' and more: Sin City gallery kicks off a three-month celebration of provocative art". Las Vegas Weekly. April 29, 2015. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
- ^ "Sin City Gallery 12" of Sin Juried Show (NSFW)". Archived from the original on 2016-09-23. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
- ^ "'12 Inches of Sin' returns to Sin City Gallery". Las Vegas Weekly. April 2, 2014. Retrieved 2017-05-14.