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It looks like an accountant's office. Neon sticky notes are scattered around the room. But they're not marking tax returns; they're covering body parts — the kinds of body parts with unprintable names.

This is the concept behind "Censored," a nude photography exhibit at the artDC Gallery in Hyattsville. In order to see what makes women women and men men, visitors must peer under the notes. The site of grown-ups playing peek-a-boo with erotic art is both humorous and a bit unsettling.

"It makes it dirtier," says Jonathan Zuck, whose portrait "Morning Dew" hangs to the left as you enter the gallery.

Many of the prints are studio nudes — limbs and torsos twisted suggestively but tastefully. Two pieces by Bethesda native Frank Turner are exceptions. "Alexia Skye on Set of ‘Emily's Crush'" and "Handi-Cam" are selections from an upcoming book about the adult film industry. Turner says the exhibit is more than just a tongue-in-cheek peep show.

"A porn star once said to me that the only reason we have a porn industry is because of the repression and Puritanism that we have in this country," he remarks. "In Europe, you'll watch a shampoo commercial and there's boobs, and it's not considered a big deal. Here, we're still a little freaked out when we see a pair of nipples."

The idea seems contrived until you know the back-story. artDC founder Jesse Cohen and curator Renee Woodward wanted to host a nude photography show. (Both practice the art as well). However, an agreement between the gallery and developers prohibits full nude shots from being visible to passers-by. That wouldn't be a problem if the front of the building weren't made of 20-foot glass windows. So the sticky notes became a way to acknowledge the agreement and lampoon the prudishness of American culture.

"I think it's funny," says Woodward. "It's definitely a show you have to have a sense of humor to be involved with."

The exhibition also positions Hyattsville as an edgier suburban arts district compared to more established areas like downtown Bethesda. Woodward hopes it will help loosen some of the general hang-ups of East Coast galleries.

"In general, the East Coast is very closed towards fine art nudes and anything erotic," she explains. "I enter the Seattle Erotic Festival every year, and it's just this amazing event — very tasteful. I would love for us to have something like that here."

Right now, the gallery is the only true dedicated exhibition space along Baltimore Avenue. There are plans for more, but the construction across the street indicates that it may be a while. Artists like Zuck are optimistic.

"It's not just galleries, it's a lot of residences and things like that," he says. "I think it's an excellent area for artists to work. As the city expands and real estate goes up, a lot of studio spaces disappear. I think Hyattsville is going to become important for the arts."

See "Censored" Friday from 8 to 10 p.m. at artDC Gallery at the Lustine Center, 5710 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville. After that, the show is open by appointment until March 5. Visit www.artdc.com or e-mail fineartventures@gmail.com.