Quote - It was pure art and could not have been seen in any other way.

I find that true for so many cases, but you cannot control people differing perception and reaction to something like that(or any kind of art). For example, for the conservatives, the fact that he was nude might be considered indecent or vulgar. Or the fact that it was a young boy. I mean a relative sick few, would get off on that. > Quote - does that mean that statues/sculptures do not have the same arousal issues that photographs/paintings/drawings do? And if not - why not?

I'm really not sure, but would the fact the it is in 3D as opposed to 2D would have some kind or effect. Maybe the size of the piece, and maybe it would also depend on the presentation of the subject as well?