I've noticed that the partially clad body is more sexually provokative than completely nude, even if it's just shoes (from 5 inch spikes to unlaced Doc Martins).(posted 8568 days ago)I'll concur with your description of erotica as "iconic and semiotic", but balk at agreeing that "Nudity per se is neither personal nor arousing."... speak (of course) for yourself, as do I. The unadorned human form offers unlimited possible poses and responses. But the slinky negligee, the open buttoned jeans, or the slit thigh, little black dress cannot be misinterpreted.
And this I totally disagree with... "It's only when you add (or remove) the possibility of concealment that the body (as artifact) becomes sexualized." There's too much contradictory precedent in both genres (fine art/ pornography) to support this theory. Concealment, even slight, lends itself to coy presentation. Just an exposed ankle in Victorian times was sufficient to arouse... t
p.s. could you elaborate on "the body as artifact" if you don't mind, it could be very interesting...