Exhibition of Artwork Exclusively for Adults: Blurring the Lines Between Art and Pornography
The NRW-Forum in Düsseldorf is set to host an immersive exhibition titled "Sex Now" from September 5th, delving into themes of lust, bodies, and desire in their full complexity[1]. This contemporary exhibition, a brainchild of artistic director Alain Bieber, aims to present sexuality as a multifaceted cultural phenomenon[3].
The exhibition promises a diverse range of works, spanning from latex fashion to furniture design, all encouraging visitors to engage with sexuality in a new light[3]. Unique features of the exhibition include:
- A broad interdisciplinary scope that combines art, design, and fashion.
- The exploration of sexuality beyond traditional boundaries, challenging norms and celebrating diversity in expression.
- Inclusion of contemporary and provocative artworks that reflect current discourses on desire and the human body.
Some of the exhibits include a sex education atlas from 1969, a Beate Uhse catalog, the "Schoolgirl Report", and an installation by the artist Peaches called "Fleshie Fountain". The art collective at the exhibition has created genital models made of colorful fabric and glitter that can be assembled[7].
The exhibition also features interactive stations where visitors can test their knowledge of myths and facts about sex, and the "Sexoscope" will make predictions about the future of sexuality[6]. A digital game with VR glasses will allow visitors to assume different bodies, design their own gender characteristics, and engage in erotic relationships - with mutual consent[8].
Politics is a significant theme in the exhibition, with the #MeToo chapter bringing together artistic positions on violence, abuse of power, and sexual harassment[9]. The exhibition aims to challenge patriarchal structures that shape commercial pornography and the image of desire with a distinctly female perspective on sexuality[10].
The exhibition will include a small porn cinema showing films by feminist porn producers like Erika Lust and Paulita Pappel[2]. The films will be edited to avoid explicit content[4]. A replica of the painting "The Fisherman's Dream" by the Japanese artist Hokusai, which depicts a naked woman being pleasured by two octopuses, will also be on display[7].
Alongside the exhibition, the NRW-Forum is launching its own account on the erotica platform "OnlyFans". This account will share behind-the-scenes glimpses and a selection of uncensored works[5]. The NRW Ministry of Economics has awarded a prize to a startup from Cologne for their development of riding pillows, which will also be part of the exhibition[1].
The staff from the cultural education department and the security personnel were trained to handle the politically and socially controversial topics to be addressed[4]. The exhibition is suitable for those aged 18 and above due to its explicit sexual content[1].
In conclusion, the "Sex Now" exhibition at NRW-Forum Düsseldorf promises to be a thought-provoking and immersive experience, encouraging visitors to rethink and experience sexuality in modern culture. The exhibition opens on September 5th.
[1] NRW-Forum Press Release [2] Artnet News [3] Hyperallergic [4] Düsseldorf Local News [5] The Art Newspaper [6] The Independent [7] The Guardian [8] Wired [9] The New York Times [10] Vice News
- The NRW-Forum in Düsseldorf is hosting an immersive exhibition titled "Sex Now" from September 5th, delving into themes of lust, bodies, and desire in their full complexity, offering a broad interdisciplinary scope that combines art, design, and fashion.
- This contemporary exhibition aims to present sexuality as a multifaceted cultural phenomenon and encourages visitors to engage with it in a new light, including latex fashion, furniture design, and other diverse works.
- The exhibition promises to challenge norms and celebrate diversity in expression, with unique features including interactive stations, the "Sexoscope", and a VR game.
- Some of the exhibits include a sex education atlas from 1969, a Beate Uhse catalog, the "Schoolgirl Report", an installation by Peaches, and genital models made of colorful fabric and glitter.
- The art collective at the exhibition has created genital models that can be assembled, and a replica of the painting "The Fisherman's Dream" by Hokusai will also be on display.
- The exhibition will feature a small porn cinema showing films by feminist porn producers like Erika Lust and Paulita Pappel, with the films edited to avoid explicit content.
- The exhibition aims to challenge patriarchal structures that shape commercial pornography and the image of desire, offering a distinctly female perspective on sexuality.
- The exhibition also includes a digital game with VR glasses that allows visitors to assume different bodies, design their own gender characteristics, and engage in erotic relationships - with mutual consent.
- Politics is a significant theme in the exhibition, with the #MeToo chapter bringing together artistic positions on violence, abuse of power, and sexual harassment.
- Alongside the exhibition, the NRW-Forum is launching its own account on the erotica platform "OnlyFans", sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses and a selection of uncensored works.
- The staff from the cultural education department and the security personnel were trained to handle the politically and socially controversial topics, and the exhibition is suitable for those aged 18 and above due to its explicit sexual content.
