12 Inches of Sin is a globally recognized 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: each piece should not exceed 12 inches in any dimension.[4] Out of all submissions, 36 artists are selected by a panel of 12 esteemed judges.[5][6] To date, artists from 26 countries have participated in this exhibition.[7]

12 Inches of Sin
FrequencyAnnually
Location(s)Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Years active14
Inaugurated2010
Participants36 artists annually
Websitewww.12ofsin.com

History edit

The 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] 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.[10][11][12]

The event, which invites entries that are adjudicated by an international panel of experts, has succeeded in attracting artists from across the globe to the Las Vegas Arts District.[13][14][15] It started with 40 submissions from five countries in its first year, which increased to 300 submissions from 26 countries by its seventh year.[16] As the number of art submissions surged, exhibition categories were introduced to accommodate traditional and new media artists, all curated by Henkel.[17][18]

In 2016, the event incorporated Immersive, a multi-media art event that showcased international performance artists known for their boundary-pushing work.[19] Alongside this, the event featured activities such as shibari demonstrations.[20] Sin City Gallery gained significant recognition, being included in the Best 25 Art Galleries in America list by the American Art Awards and receiving the Best Gallery in Nevada award.[21][22][23]

The Juried Exhibition edit

The 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.[24] The artworks, which come from both emerging and established artists globally, are selected on the basis of their "sophistication, intelligence, wit, and provocation".[25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] 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.[36][37][38]
  • 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.[39]
  • 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.[40][41]

The call for submissions happens annually from July through August.[42] 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.[43] The exhibition is open to visitors over the age of 21.[44][45]

Winners edit

The following are the Best in Show winners:[46][47][48]

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

  1. ^ "Gallery to Feature Art Outtakes from '12 Inches of Sin' Show". The Las Vegas Review-Journal. 29 June 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  2. ^ "Art Exhibit Challenges Ideas of Eroticism". National Public Radio. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  3. ^ "One Sexologist's Quest to Stimulate Las Vegas' Art Scene". The Creators Project. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "Q&A: Dr. Laura Henkel Discusses '12 Inches of Sin' Kickstarter Campaign". XBiz: Adult Industry News. 2 March 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Gallery to Feature Art Outtakes from '12 Inches of Sin' Show". The Las Vegas Review-Journal. 29 June 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  11. ^ "Art Exhibit Challenges Ideas of Eroticism". National Public Radio. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  12. ^ "One Sexologist's Quest to Stimulate Las Vegas' Art Scene". The Creators Project. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "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.
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ "Q&A: Dr. Laura Henkel Discusses '12 Inches of Sin' Kickstarter Campaign". XBiz: Adult Industry News. 2 March 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ "Sin City Gallery's '12 Inches of Sin' expands in its fifth year with 'Immersive'". Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  20. ^ "Sin City Gallery's '12 Inches of Sin' expands in its fifth year with 'Immersive'". Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ Taylor, F. Andrew (2016-04-06). "Daylong art event to revolve around '12 Inches of Sin' show". Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  23. ^ "Desert Companion - August 2018". Issuu. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  24. ^ "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.
  25. ^ 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.
  26. ^ "'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.
  27. ^ "The relocated '12" of Sin' expands into a three-day festival". LasVegasWeekly.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  28. ^ "12 Inches of Sin festival brings the sexy art back". Nevada Public Radio. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  29. ^ "Erotic Art Show Organizer: 'This Is Art, Not Porn'". Nevada Public Radio. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  30. ^ "Everything Is Erotic at 12 Inches of Sin — DTLV". DTLV. 2018-05-17. Archived from the original on 2018-07-30. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  31. ^ ERIC MINH SWENSON (2018-01-17), TWELVE INCHES OF SIN VI, retrieved 2018-07-31
  32. ^ SWENSON, ERIC MINH (2017-07-28), AARON SHEPPARD: MUD WRESTLING INSTALLATION, retrieved 2018-07-31
  33. ^ SWENSON, ERIC MINH (2017-07-29), ERIC WALLIS: TWELVE INCHES OF SIN, retrieved 2018-07-31
  34. ^ SWENSON, ERIC MINH (2018-06-06), 12 INCHES OF SIN VII, retrieved 2018-07-31
  35. ^ SWENSON, ERIC MINH (2018-05-21), NUDE SURVEY SEVEN : CURATED BY EMS: 12" OF SIN, retrieved 2018-07-31
  36. ^ "Juxtapoz Magazine - Exploring Eroticism: 12 Inches of Sin V". Retrieved 2016-07-13.
  37. ^ "Call for Art to Exhibit '12 Inches of Sin'". Arts4Nevada. Archived from the original on 2016-08-16. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  38. ^ "One Sexologist's Quest to Stimulate Las Vegas' Art Scene". The Creators Project. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  39. ^ "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.
  40. ^ "'12 Inches of Sin' returns to Sin City Gallery". Las Vegas Weekly. April 2, 2014. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  41. ^ "'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.
  42. ^ "'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.
  43. ^ "Sin City Gallery 12" of Sin Juried Show (NSFW)". Archived from the original on 2016-09-23. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  44. ^ 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.
  45. ^ "One Sexologist's Quest to Stimulate Las Vegas' Art Scene". The Creators Project. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  46. ^ "'12 Inches of Sin' returns to Sin City Gallery". Las Vegas Weekly. April 2, 2014. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  47. ^ "'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.
  48. ^ "Exhibition Announcement: 12 Inches of Sin VI Invited Artists". 12 Inches of Sin. October 31, 2016. Archived from the original on 2017-04-21. Retrieved May 18, 2017.

External links edit