The world of adult entertainment often remains shrouded in secrecy, but photographer Larry Sultan sought to reveal the unexpected narratives behind the sets. His work, particularly in California’s San Fernando Valley, showcased the ordinary suburban homes that became temporary backdrops for adult film productions. Through his lens, Sultan captured not only the actors but also the subtle details of these spaces that hinted at a complex interplay between reality and fantasy.
In the late 1990s, Sultan’s journey into this realm began with a photo shoot for Maxim, where he encountered the vibrant yet stark environments of adult film sets. These locations, often rented homes, played a dual role: they were both familiar domestic spaces and stages for the performance of pleasure. Sultan returned to photograph these homes over several years, fascinated by how they transformed into sites of adult entertainment while still echoing the lives of their previous inhabitants.
Exploring Domesticity in Adult Film
One compelling image features adult film actor Sharon Wild, captured in a makeshift bedroom adorned with purple curtains. The photograph reveals a stark contrast between the mundane and the erotic, showcasing a worn mattress and minimal props that create a narrative. Sultan’s gallerist, Yancey Richardson, described how the photographer found beauty in these “mundane details,” which highlighted a parallel reality that captivated him.
In Sultan’s view, the homes he photographed were eerie reminders of lives interrupted. He noted that the interiors often reflected the stability of middle-class life, yet they served an entirely different purpose during film shoots. Sultan’s wife, Kelly Sultan, who was present during the shoot, recalled how her husband was drawn to the everyday details—like magnets on refrigerators—that remained in these homes, now used as backdrops for an alternative family dynamic.
The Intersection of Art and Adult Entertainment
Sultan’s approach to photography was unique; he preferred to document moments that existed outside the conventional narrative of adult films. Rather than focus on explicit scenes, he captured the atmosphere and the incongruities of the sets. Photographer Rebecca Bausher, who assisted Sultan, noted that he often prioritized the details within the homes over the action occurring in the background. This perspective allowed him to explore deeper themes of place and belonging, contrasting the chaos of the film sets with the semblance of normalcy in the homes.
One of Sultan’s striking portraits of Wild exemplifies this approach. The direct eye contact between Wild and the camera creates a moment of acknowledgment between the performer and the observer. Sultan himself described his work as “documenting fictions,” where he aimed to capture the theatricality of the sets while stripping away the drama typically associated with adult films. He expressed his fascination with the constructed nature of these environments, stating, “When I see some purple curtains, I run for my camera.”
Sultan’s book, titled The Valley, published in 2004, continues to resonate, featuring images that have been showcased in various exhibitions. His work remains a poignant exploration of how the ordinary intersects with the extraordinary, revealing layers of human experience often overlooked in the adult film industry.
Through his lens, Larry Sultan not only documented the world of adult entertainment but also challenged viewers to reconsider the narratives that arise from the convergence of domestic life and sexual expression. His photographs invite contemplation on the often-ignored stories that dwell within the spaces we inhabit, regardless of their intended purpose.
