| |
By
Benoit Turbide
Starting from
August15
until August
18th,
the Toronto Sex Museum will host the sensational International
Erotic Art Exhibition at
Delta Centre-Ville（777,
rue University Street, Montreal, QC H3C, 3Z7）,
from 10AM
to
10PM.
The rich selection of paintings and artifacts covers five thousand
years of human civilization and evokes the profound sexual cultures
of various countries and regions around the world, including:
France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Japan, Korea, India, China, the
Middle-East and Africa. This event is not just a display of sexual
artifacts and daring art forms; it also underlines some cultural
similarities, but more importantly, it emphasizes the scopes of
cultural perspectives concerning sexuality throughout time and
place.
Ranging from bronze naked figures and erotic paintings on scrolls to
relatively more provocative items, like stylized penises made out of
either mud, jade, porcelain, copper or stone, as well as wood carved
sexual positions involving two or more partners of different or same
sex, the exhibition has more to offer than a simple stimulation of
your libido. It is an extremely interesting history lesson that
allows visitors to grasp the ways in which the different millenarian
cultures under scrutiny viewed and expressed sexuality throughout
their specific erotic art. For instance, one will learn how the
cultivation of sexual energy and potency were used throughout time
by world religions, such as Taoism or Buddhism, which closely
connected sexuality to their quest for immortality and
enlightenment. Another good example takes shape in a multitude of
reddish dildos dating back to five thousand years ago, which the
Chinese hung in their homes by the entrance doors in order to keep
evil spirits at bay. This unique display of x-rated art also
demonstrates how such artistic expressions were used to teach the
youth about the pleasures and pains of married life. A relevant
example of the pedagogical aspects of ancient erotic art is well
illustrated by an erotic booklet intended to teach sex to children,
and by what is probably the most contentious device: a ceramic dildo
set on a saddle. This confection had historically a double purpose
in China: it was destined to deter Chinese women from cheating and
secondly, it was ridden till death by women found guilty of
adultery. I must say that I would have given anything to see the
faces of those Canadian custom officers who uncovered this rare
piece and dared give a hard time to its guardian! Besides this
deterring and torturous apparatus, there are other more lighthearted
relics that will provoke a sure smile to everyone. Worthy of mention
is a clay sculpture of a woman with gigantic breast sitting next to
a man with an erect penis and a devilish smile. There is also a
quite unusual bust, which has a phallus in lieu of the nose!
It is guaranteed that this very rare International Erotic Art
Exhibition will satisfy any art lover, as well as inform whoever is
interested by the radically different customs, beliefs and attitudes
that ancient cultures had toward gender and sexuality. Finally,
whether worshipped or feared, the ensemble of objects will entertain
anyone (over eighteen years old, of course) interested in the
world’s most popular three-letter word: SEX!
Admission $12.99（$11
, 65+ and students），
Tax included.
Adults
(18+) only
www.tsm9.com
|
|
