Everything you know about sex is true.

BODYPOLITICX

Why does pornography have such a bad reputation? Most profess not to like it and many claim to have never even seen any. Yet, beyond a simple or dictionary definition, the question "what is porn?" remains almost impossible to answer. Even a Supreme Court judge was stumped, saying of pornography: "I don't know what it is, but I recognize it when I see it".

Club 90, Deep inside porn stars, 1984 - Backstage

BODYPOLITICX is a group exhibition that does not seek to provide one simple response. Nor does it take sides in the for-or-against debate about pornography. Instead, BODYPOLITICX poses further questions: Does porn symbolize patriarchal structures and the oppression of women? Are porn films a reflection of existing socio-sexual relationships? What is taboo when everything around us is sexualized and yet sexual practices remain un-discussable? Is pornography to blame for the destruction of sexuality?

With a focus upon the 20th and 21st centuries, this exhibition takes a contemporary look at an age-old fascination, seeing sex through the eyes of over 70 artists, filmmakers, activists, photo-journalists, musicians and magazine editors. By means of visual juxtaposition, the exhibition sets out to examine the demarcation of the sex industry, subculture, pop, performance and art.

The exhibition runs 8 Sep - 16 Dec 2007 at Witte de With, Center for Contemporary Art, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Via e-flux.

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