A unique exploration of adult film production has emerged through the lens of photographer Larry Sultan, who documented the ordinary suburban homes transformed into stages for the adult entertainment industry. His work, particularly notable in the late 1990s, captured the essence of these homes that became temporary backdrops for the production of pleasure.
Sultan’s journey began when he was assigned to photograph the daily life of a porn star for Maxim magazine. This project led him back to his childhood neighborhood in California’s San Fernando Valley, a region that had evolved into a hub for adult film studios. The area’s affordability and proximity to Los Angeles made it a prime location for adult film production, prompting Sultan to document the rented homes used for filming.
Unveiling the Ordinary in the Extraordinary
Over several years, Sultan focused on the mundane details of these homes, capturing settings that could evoke the fantasies of everyday life. His photographs reveal a dichotomy: the homes appear to be abandoned by families, yet they are curated to serve the narrative of sexual performance. The interiors often reflect a familiar middle-class lifestyle, reminding Sultan of his own upbringing, while simultaneously being “estranged” from their original purpose.
In his 2004 book, titled The Valley, Sultan expressed his fascination with the strangeness of these homes. He noted how the interiors told a story of domesticity, yet were repurposed to create a theatrical environment for adult entertainment. His wife, Kelly Sultan, who was present during the Maxim shoot, recalled Sultan’s immediate interest in the homes and their details, such as refrigerator magnets and everyday objects that became part of the backdrop for the performances.
Sultan’s images often relegated the act of sex to the periphery. Bodies were depicted through windows or reflections, cropped out of frame, or humorously obscured by plants and furniture. As photographer Rebecca Bausher, who assisted Sultan during this period, noted, he sought out the subtle clues within the sets to explore the intricate psychology of the spaces.
Documenting Fiction and Reality
Sultan’s approach to photographing these sets was not merely about capturing explicit moments. He aimed to document the “anti-dramatic” aspects of adult film production. In an interview with the Oakland Museum of Contemporary Art in 2003, he articulated his perspective: “I think of myself on porn sets as documenting fictions.” He appreciated the theatrical nature of the sets while creating images that diverged from traditional film stills.
His portrait of adult film actor Sharon Wild, who gazes directly at the camera amidst the unremarkable setting of a makeshift bedroom, stands out as a moment of acknowledgment between the artist and the subject. Sultan captured the odd, constructed feel of the scene, emphasizing the contrast between the vibrant purple curtains and a worn mattress. He humorously remarked, “When I see some purple curtains, I run for my camera.”
Sultan’s work continues to resonate within the art world, with exhibitions of his photographs regularly showcased. His unique perspective on the intersection of domestic life and adult entertainment provides a compelling commentary on the nature of reality and performance. Sultan passed away in 2009, but his legacy endures through his thought-provoking images that challenge conventional narratives surrounding the adult film industry.
Through his lens, Sultan transformed simple suburban homes into profound reflections on identity, intimacy, and the complexities of human desire, inviting viewers to reconsider the spaces we inhabit and the stories they hold.
