CHELSEA, NY (PIX11)—
There's a new billboard that's raising some eyebrows and turning heads on the West Side Highway across from Chelsea Piers. It's called Art on the Wall and is one of four by photographer Kenneth Willardt. But is it art or porn?
On the streets one guy told PIX11, "No it definitely is not pornography, It's relaxing art." while another said "What is this, Montclair or something? Get over it people."The 8 by 10 foot panel is hanging on the wall of a Chelsea gallery and features a nude woman in water and with her breasts completely exposed.
A local artist who also owns a gallery told PIX 11 News "I don't think its porn or art. To me it looks more like fashion."
She could be on the right track. Kenneth Willardt is a fashion photographer who jets around the world shooting pictures of beautiful women for a number of fashion and cosmetic giants.
Anne Brigitte Sirois is the director of the Guided by Invoices gallery next door she says" Kenneth Willardt"s Art on the Walls is something he wanted to do to beautify the city. And that it is sensual and beautiful but definitely not porn.
But it raises another question is it appropriate on the West Side Highway?
On the streets one woman said " Absolutely not kids go by here." another said "Hello. This is New York City. What are we the Taliban here? We can't show a naked woman and breasts." One driver we spoke to said " I don't think its appropriate anywhere. It's gonna cause a lot of accidents. One woman traveling with two men told us "We''re from Ohio. I don't know how they would handle it here knowing New Yorkers but we would definitely have accidents if you put it up in Cincinnati.
