The NYPD paid a visit to a Lower East Side art gallery Friday night, but officers weren't there to buy art.
The gallery’s new exhibit is called "Porno Paintings,” and is inspired by hard-core Internet porn. It is also easily visible from the sidewalk and sits across the street from an elementary school.
“In the eyes of the parents and the kids it is very provocative,” says Eva Tsui, who stopped into the gallery to view the art.
Owner Dino Eli defends the gallery, and says he only exhibits painters who have a message.
"There was nothing done at the Orchard Windows Gallery that hasn't been done in the history of art," said Eli.
Police told Eli that parents in the neighborhood are not happy.
The paintings show a number of explicit scenes.
When the kids are out of school or walking by, Eli says he does his best to block their view.
"I'm not an animal. I'm just doing my job as a gallerist," Eli said.
The gallery owner says he listened to those families that complained and to the NYPD, which advised putting up less graphic photos in the display window.
For now all of the paintings in the display window will remain PG-13, he said.
