Cover Up the Dirty Parts: A Comparative Analysis of Obscenity Laws and Artistic Expression in The United States of America and Italy

Willis, Savannah

Cover Up the Dirty Parts: A Comparative Analysis of Obscenity Laws and Artistic Expression in The United States of America and Italy

Persistent URL

https://dspace.allegheny.edu/handle/10456/56825

Author(s)

Willis, Savannah

Date Issued

April 26, 2023

Abstract

For my Senior Comprehensive Project, I chose to look at obscenity laws in the United States and Italy and how these laws affect artists’ ability to make. In my research, I found that The United States has a more strict interpretation of obscenity laws than Italy. I decided to create a video showing this interpretation. Cover up the Dirty Parts emphasizes the difference that the two countries have and what this looks like in the practice of controlling censorship. Through the use of overlay, the Supreme Court Justice’s words from obscenity Cases are used to show their opinions on censorship. Censor bars with the Supreme Court building on top are used to show what needs to be covered up by American obscenity law to be deemed not obscene. Cover up the Dirty Parts highlights the absurdity of America’s interpretation of what is okay to show and what is not compared to Italy’s interpretation.

Major

Art: Studio Art

Political Science

Honors

Art, 2023

First Reader(s)

Thomas, Ian F.