I can answer this pretty simply, I think.

I think ANYTHING can be viewed as an art form.  Art is simply something that tickles your senses in some way.
A serial killer, for example, could consider his work art.

ANY art is made to satisfy ourselves or others, and porn is the basest form of that art.

I personally think it's ridiculous to call it art and I think it's a despicable thing.  But what can one do?  I can't change the definition of art, after all.

This is actually a very interesting topic.

First, let us discuss the very definition of the word "art".

"the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance (Dictionary.com)."

Next, the definition of "pornography"

"obscene writings, drawings, photographs, or the like, especially those having little or no artistic merit (Dictionary.com)."

Right there, you see that the two contradict each other. The very definition of the word "pornography" suggest it has little or no artistic merit. It is intended for things that are obscene and not aesthetically pleasing.

However, some may argue that they find pornography to indeed be aesthetically appealing and that they do find beauty in it. I say that those people may find one or more of the subjects in the pornographic work to be "beautiful" or "aesthetically appealing" but the acts being partaken in do not stimulate the aesthetic senses... instead they stimulate something else...

Now, can a nude picture of a person (drawn or real) be artistic? It sure can. There are many examples of renowned classic paintings that feature naked women. The difference is that they are painted in a way that is tasteful and not obscene. It's not the nudity that makes something porn. It's that crude element that is designed to appeal to carnal senses. I would consider a tasteful nude picture to be artistic. They key here is being in good taste.

In short porn =/= art. They are two different things that contradict one another.

I'd like to respond with a rethorical question?

Is pedophilia considered a lifestyle choice? 

Well most people would say that pornography isn't a form of art but a means to taint the human mind with erotic thoughts and possibly actions. In my opinion I agree with that statement to an extent. To me I feel that porn shouldn't be allowed to certain people and that it can be harmful to younger people exposed to such things, but looking back into history, many famous and important paintings and various forms of art included different sexual poses and exposure of private areas. So while many people view it as a bad thing and not a form of art, it is a form of art to an extent because it's been represented in many famous forms of art dating back to classical times in Europe and possible even before that. This is just my opinion on the matter, and I feel that it is a form of art depending on the audience that it's being exposed to as well as the way it's being presented.

   Well consider how f*cking horrid modern art is, so yes pornography can be considered a form of art. I say this because even long ago, before photos, and film, people painted women and men nude. But I'm not sure if that could or could not be considered porn. Take "The birth of Venus"for example, William-Adolphe Bouguereau painted her in the nude, along with every other person in the painting. But many would not consider it porn just because it had nude people in it. 

Sexy or erotic art may have something to say about human body, emotions or something deep and and meanigful, even if it plays with fantasies some of us may have on aesthetic levels.

But porn is porn. Its just for arousal and amusemnt without anything else to offer. Birth of Venus or even Tom of Finland can be seen as art but "a#¤# c%& s¤%&¤% extravaganza 17" or some such is just that. No more, no less. I fail to see the art in that, though I dont condemn it either for not being art.

thudricdholee : How do you know the guy is a plumber?  (this was a joke by the way...a terrible one most likely).

I say that pornography isn't an art form. When I think of the definition of the word "Art" I tend to think of paintings, scuptures, potery, etc. So according to my definition of art, pornography isn't.

Now of course someone would say that "Michael's David is naked, so how can you say that pornography isn't art, when a naked David is." I can tell you why.

You don't have to look at David's sex organ. You are looking at a piece of art that was crafted from stone, took a lot of time to work on, etc. So David is a piece of art...who just happens to be naked.

thing1 : Car customizing better be a form of art. Not the part involving parts that change the physical appearence of the car; but like decals and vinyls. And that is the only form of art that I enjoy (if that is called art). Also some people don't believe tattoo's are a form of art, yet I say they are.

Selling your body for money is hardly what I would call an art-form

iN008 : That't called prostition, Porn is acting but at the end they just have sex not much creativity there.

servbot128 : and they get paid for doing so thus selling themselves for money.

"The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture,...: 'the art of the Renaissance'
Pornography is typically in a visual form, yes? Well.. I suppose some people could view phone sex as pornography, but either way, it does take some imagination to actually act horribly. Not to mention all the crazy sex positions? That's art right there, the way they can contort their body is simply a masterpiece, almost as if Picasso directs each film himself.

And if I work in a factory I am also selling my time and body for money.

But cant porn just be porn and art art?

I think Pornagraphy can be considered an art form. Its no less of an art than any Dubstep musician.

Despite your personal opinion on the media itself, it's no doubt that it's an art form in it of itself. Similar to how a non-porn movie can sometimes be considered an art form.

As a genre of film, yes, pornography is art.

While it's still not tasteful or appropriate, it's still in the form of film, and it's part of culture, essentially, so I feel that it is art.

Using the Merriam Webster Dictionary web site I show the definition of the word Art.

Definition of ART

[Now on the same website, the definition of PORNOGRAPHY]

Definition of PORNOGRAPHY

Belmontzar : Copy and pasting is not allow : http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/

And no Pornography I wouldn't class pornography as art.