EXTRA LARGE

Sexuality is a natural part of human beings, and its discovery and the awareness built around it are crucial in personality development. However, in dominant cultures, this awareness still faces many taboos and omissions, which hinder effective sexual education in schools. As a result, young people often turn to pornography to explore their sexuality. The issue becomes complex when pornography use leads to addiction, causing mental health problems, interpersonal issues, and a general decline in quality of life.

This phenomenon is widespread and often overlooked, only surfacing in extreme cases like pedophilia or sexual exploitation. The internet has made access to pornography much easier, acting as a potential driver for increased addiction. Therefore, we believe this is a significant area to explore within the context of addiction.

Pornography is not homogeneous, and social judgment on it is controversial. Addressing this topic verbally is complex, and visually even more so, as it risks disturbing sensitivities. This thesis aims to highlight the importance of this issue, contextualizing its history, developments, and consequences, especially for young people. Understanding the production model of pornography is crucial for education and awareness.

The textual part of this volume is accompanied by explicit images creatively censored with filters, games, and colors, allowing readers the freedom to choose whether or not to explore them.

Sexuality is rarely discussed within families and inadequately addressed in schools, leaving adolescents without an open dialogue on the topic. Consequently, pornography websites often become the primary source of sexual education for young people, teaching them harmful practices such as unprotected sex, aggressive approaches, and extreme behaviors. Professor Emmanuele Jannini, an andrology specialist and professor at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, points out that YouPorn has become the main source of sexual education for youth. He also notes that sexology is not taught in Italian universities, and medical and psychology faculties seldom cover sexual behavior psychopathology. Thus, it is unsurprising that young people, or anyone needing to understand their sexuality, primarily turn to the internet for information.

This book aims to explore various methods of censorship through techniques such as blurring, distortion, elimination, enlargement, overlay, and image mosaic. The predominant colors are red (a symbol of passion and associated with eroticism), black (representing mystery and depth), white (a symbol of purity and neutrality), and gray (associated with balance and neutrality). The minimalist graphics contrast with the strength and aggressiveness of the images, which dominate the book with a powerful visual presence.

In our book, we have decided to include a section praising the works on sexuality and eroticism by the following photographers and artists: Aaron Tilley, Ren Hang, Mariel Clayton, Jo Ann Callis, and Émir Shiro.

This book also features interviews that add depth and interest, bringing it to life. Among those interviewed are Erica Garza, an American writer, and Nelaam Tailor, a 24-year-old porn addict. We also spoke with Thaddeus Birchard, a doctor who founded the first UK training program for treating sex addiction, and Hannah, a 26-year-old porn addict. Francesca Vicari, a content creator on OnlyFans, and Noelle Perdue, a former MindGeek employee, also share their insights. Additionally, the book includes conversations with Fluida Wolf, a feminist activist, Lisa Ling, a journalist and television personality, Nicki Briant, a 25-year-old porn addict, and Kate Howells, a doctor specializing in sexual health.