There is a clear distinction between what is erotic and what is pornographic. Pornography’s objective is the graphic depiction of sexually explicit scenes. It is a detailed and naturalistic image, a verbal description or a demonstration of a sexual intercourse and/or genitals with an end purpose to arouse sexual excitement in a human being, usually, in exchange for money. It can also be exploitative or degrading. Its symbolic content is very limited and focused on sex only. Erotica’s objective, on the other hand is the portrayal of human anatomy and sexuality in a more multi-layered and polysemic way. It seeks to tell a story with sexual themes and evocative imagery. Its purpose is to explore desire, love, sexuality, human anatomy and passion through mystery and intrigue. It is because of these clear dissimilitudes which we can define them as separate entities.

Pornography is symbolically unidimensional. It has only one purpose and objective, which is to sexually arouse the viewer.
Erotica, on the other hand, is polysemic. It has several layers of meaning. Either depicted in paint, film, song, music, photography, sculpture, poetry, literature or the spoken word, the audience can relate to the piece in several different levels, possibly but not necessarily sexual, and can reflect upon its alternative meanings.

Erotica is part of us being human. It is done for the art of portraying human sexuality. It is an art. It is done to explore the senses. Pornography’s objective is sexual pleasure. It is an industry whose sole concern is not being artistic or creative but in making money from an audience.