We tapped four visionaries -- Juergen Teller, The Raveonettes, Jennifer Lynch, and James Jean -- for their takes on surveillance. The works of art they created are, well, out of sight.

Above: Juergen Teller
“Ed with camera, Il Pellicano,” 2009.
Teller’s exhibition, Juergen Teller, Paradis, is on display at New York’s Lehmann Maupin gallery until October 17, 2009.

Known for his stylistic and thematic variety, Academy Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh's latest film, The Girlfriend Experience, is a low-budget feature, shot in 16 days, largely improvised by Soderbergh's cast of mostly non-actors. Set during the economically challenging weeks leading up to the 2008 presidential election, 21-year-old porn star Sasha Grey stars as Christine, a special brand of high-class escort, who provides for rich Manhattan men what is known as The Girlfriend Experience. Paid $2,000 an hour for her services—sex and emotional intimacy—Christine provides simulated relationships, while maintaining a real romantic relationship with her boyfriend Chris (newcomer Chris Santos—a triathlete and gym trainer) who accepts Christine's employment so long as she follows certain rules to maintain the sanctity of their relationship. But when you try to restrict the human heart to a prescribed code, something's gotta give. Sitting at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles, the 45-year-old auteur is articulate and outspoken as he discusses his latest provocative film, and the tricky, sticky world of sex workers.

Just as her character Chelsea draws on an arsenal of executive consultants to lend reality to her business -- the girlfriend experience -- I imagine Sasha Grey must have spoken with escorts herself to prepare for her first mainstream-ish feature, The Girlfriend Experience. If anyone involved with the production had to “live the story” by becoming a prostitute's client, who better to have hire an escort than Grey herself? I would have offered.

For months, I've been touting the many skills of Sasha Grey -- not just on this website, although there's been plenty of that, but to friends, roommates, grandparents, and trees. She has a storied history at BlackBook, from provocative poolside photoshoots, to groundbreaking (and heartbreaking) Twitter interviews. Now, with the release of the trailer for Steven Soderbergh's The Girlfriend Experience -- in which Sasha stars as a high-priced New York escort -- I fear that our preciously taboo porn star will be lost forever, set adrift into the mainstream. The dialogue-free trailer doesn't tout Grey's acting abilities, but when it comes to staring longingly into the existential void in the back of a town car on her way to service a lonely (and lucky) millionaire, Grey gives an Oscar-worthy performance. And kudos Mr. Soderbergh on that score. We'll miss you Sasha. Trailer after the jump.

Back in NBC's heyday, they had a show called Seinfeld that aired every Thursday night, and it was watched by as many people as there are in Canada. That show, featuring snarky (before snark existed), self-involved, and intensely lovable New Yorkers, came scarily close to perfection. I say close, because while hilarious and brilliantly subversive, there was always one thing missing -- hardcore sex. But not anymore! Porn savants New Sensations have taken up the ultimate quest to make Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld's brainchild sexier, and judging by the photos, funnier too.

With Roger Daltrey kicking back in the restaurant, it was literally a Who's who at BlackBook's star-studded "Red Hot Hollywood" party at the Sunset Marquis Hotel and Villas. Rock stars, movie stars, and porn stars all came out to toast our Red Hot Hollywood issue, on newsstands now. See full gallery.

You've seen Sasha Grey's high-fashion pool party, thrilled to her Twitter interview, and contemplated her ruminations on style and the porn business. Finally, here's our behind-the-scenes video of her photo shoot at LA's Sunset Marquis. Hit the jump for the full clip.

Poolside meets backside on location at Hollywood's iconic Sunset Marquis Hotel and Villas, where the biggest name in straight porn steps behind the camera to direct two beefcake boys, Jeremy Bilding and Luca Di Corso, in luxury pajamas. At 18, she bagged the AVN Award for Best Three-Way Scene. But the California native appears equally poised discussing both French New Wave and Lord of Asses 13. (Be sure to also check out Sasha's Twitter interview, plus her views on fashion and the porn business, and the behind-the-scenes video from this photo shoot.)

Sasha Grey was kind enough to Twitter for us, and then she shared her thoughts on fashion. Now she talks about getting started in the porn biz. Hit the jump the clip, and be sure to return next week for her full photo shoot and behind-the-scenes video.

Star of adult entertainment Sasha Grey -- just today, the subject of a Twitterview -- is also in our upcoming February-March issue. In addition to that lovely photo spread, enjoy a video clip with Sasha (and friends) where she speaks about her taste in fashion. Later, she'll talk to us about her life in the porn business, and then we'll go behind the scenes on the photo shoot itself. Check it out after the jump, and stay tuned for more.