We had the good fortune of connecting with Myken Dahlen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Myken, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
Erotic art or erotic expression is generally misunderstood because sexuality is such an individual experience. There could be some social conditioning involved including trauma and/or shame and guilt that is very challenging to open up to and move beyond. This is one reason we don’t see erotica celebrated as much in most public gallery spaces. One of the joys of hosting these exhibits is getting to witness people come in with one perception and leave with multiple new perspectives. Part of the beauty of it is that the change in perception happens organically through experience and is much more impactful than someone just telling you what erotic art “is” or, god forbid, “isn’t.” Feedback I hear often from newcomers is “it’s wasn’t pornographic at all!” and “there was some stuff I didn’t know I would like!” To answer the question, one thing that outsiders might not be aware of about erotic art is that no matter who you are, what your upbringing was like, what economic class you find yourself in, etc., sexuality is a deeply unifying humanistic experience and has much more to do with mental, emotional and spiritual health rather than physical arousal. At Tucson Erotica specifically we ask visitors not to utilize our events to seek self-gratification as it preserves a comfortable environment for everyone wanting to express themselves and experience celebrating sexuality without being objectified or fetishized. If you are someone who struggles to control your sexual impulses, that is something that there are many resources for and can be practiced and learned. Tucson Erotica events can be a healing experience for anyone wanting to be a part of a community that values collective positive experiences and wants to help give anyone a chance to grow at their necessary pace.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Being an artist is a lifelong journey and is never easy! The challenge is the reward and there is no other way to live once you’ve accepted it. My mother is very artistic and I credit her for instilling creativity in me. Making art became a way I received praise as well as dealt with difficult emotions growing up. As an adult I don’t consider myself a traditional artist, I work in any medium and don’t create art to sell (Full time artist absolutely amaze and inspire me! I am a huge advocate and supporter of artist’s work) but I definitely benefit greatly from my artistic expression both personally and socially. I believe deeply that the creative is meant to enhance the experience of life around them, to start conversations, and to inspire play or reflection in any capacity. My personal contribution to that effect is by exploring my desires and insecurities and sharing them with whoever is watching. I gravitate towards themes of sexuality, body image, gender identity, mental health, money, love, hate, fear, and ecstasy, lying, cheating, stealing, wanting, needing, and getting. All the things we experience but are told should be kept secret I want to shine light on and maybe we’ll all be a little gentler with ourselves and each other. My art is for my own personal growth and enjoyment first and foremost, whoever else happens to benefit from it is a bonus. All are welcome to spectate.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Easy! I am so in love with Tucson and the people and places that make it special, one if my favorite things is getting to share it with someone.

Sunday: Starting at noon is the $11 Burger and Beer deal at Thunder Canyon Brewery where you can find my friend Jim the manager who is one of the best, most community-minded people in Tucson. Then I’d find a pool to hang out at, hit up karaoke/trivia at Royal Room then end the night at Harmony House, a weekly event at Club Congress, to dance to witness the best DJs in Arizona.

Monday: Find water, be outside, walk here and there… Tanque Verde Falls then perhaps the beautiful Dunbar Springs neighborhood to see some friends then over to my art studio that I share with two best friends in the former Sculpture Resource Center building…drink Kirkland brand wine left over from the Tucson Erotica Art Show closing night.

Tuesday: The taco Tuesday at Ermanos has me by a chokehold. Tuesday night (and every night’s) performances at The Century Room are always interesting and they have some of my favorite non alcoholic drinks for a not-regretful night out.

Wednesday: Ceres opens for the week in the El Presidio neighborhood and I can’t not try their weekly specials. Then we’d head over to Lodge on the Desert to lounge by the pool, they have the most beautiful setting…. Karaoke night at the Silver Room on Wednesday nights is always a good time.

Thursday: Breakfast at Barista del Barrio is a must and the line won’t be as long during the week. Probably stop at Savior at the MSA Annex, the most wonderful curated selection of artful home goods, then see what Nick Georgiou is up to at his studio because his art is amazing and I love to show my friends. If it happens to be the third Thursday of the month we’re going to Zemam’s on Speedway for the best monthly dance party and Ethiopian tacos of your life.

Friday: Feels like a South Tucson day which calls for breakfast at Cafe Santa Rosa for their fry bread, lunch at Tacos Apson, a visit to Blanca’s Jewelry, Galeria Mitotera to see Mel who is an amazing artist and inspiring individual doing incredible things for the community. Tanque Verde Swap Meet in the evening then there must be some live music somewhere…. The people over at Best Life Presents bring some amazing world-class music to venues all over town.

Saturday: Brisket bagel breakfast sandwich from Kiss of Smoke BBQ to get us back to life. Gotta check out what Splinter Collective, &Gallery, Pidgin Palace, SubSpace, Scatterbrain, Kinetic Arts, or Templeton’s are up to because they are among Tucson’s best independent art event curators. Dinner at American Eat Co we’re there is such a good selection of local options, grab a cocktail at Citizen Hotel or Bar Crisol, then dance! It doesn’t matter where just go dance.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I so appreciate this opportunity to give credit where credit is due! So many people and experiences have contributed to who I’ve become and what I’ve accomplished.

1) My father Buzz was an amazing pastor of a Christian church through my childhood and continues to be a shining example of God’s love… compassionate, accepting, forgiving and giving to all.

2) My mother is a natural artist and I grew up watching her perform, create, and organize experiences for the community because she wanted to, because that’s what an artist does, She has relationship to life, art and expression that I feel deeply influenced how I approach these themes.

2) I remember watching a PBS documentary on TV when I was around 10 years old about an anthropologist from New York that lived with and studied an indigenous tribe in the Amazon for years. In this tribe it was normal for men to have other male lovers and confidants as well as wives and families. The researcher (he) formed a bond with another man in the tribe during his time there but eventually had to go back to New York to complete his research with no way to stay in contact. Years later he was able to return to the tribe. I distinctly remember watching the scene where the researcher was approaching the shore and gets within eye sight of the various people awaiting his arrival. Immediately and without question, two men jump into the water from the boat and the shore and swim as fast as they can to each other until they meet and embrace in the most beautiful and undeniably loving way. It was this moment that I understood there was nothing wrong with being gay and that love had no boundaries. (I can’t help but cry when I remember this story) If anyone recalls the name of this documentary, I’d love to see it again.

3) When I was 14 I read a book called The Art of Loving by psychologist Erich Fromm. Looking back I wouldn’t agree with all his notions but there was one particular piece that at the time was the perfect delivery to teach me something that was extremely impactful to my trajectory. Loving someone means you not only want the best for them, but that their best is not something you get to decide for them.

4) I have too many friends to list but every single person that has shown me their true selves, been vulnerable, opened up, let loose, and shared in all our joys and pains together have helped me grow and cope in this crazy life we are constantly navigating and I am eternally grateful. (Crying again)

5) Former and current mentors…. Be it career, financial, and/or mental wellness supporters/all around inspiring individuals include Chris Beck, Noni Rein, Jennifer Habel, Anna Sundari Knight, Bill Fritton, Duane Callahan, and multiple therapists, massage practitioners, and bar flies along the way.

Website: tucsonerotica.com

Instagram: Personal: @gracemotel Professional: @tucsonerotica

Facebook: Facebook.com/tucsonerotica

Image Credits
Love That For You Film Velvet&Shadow

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