Eager to avail themselves of New York’s cultural treasures, interns Amanda Wills and Lindsay Silberman last week visited a museum. Here’s their report:When Senior Editor Chip Rowe asked us to deliver two boxes of books to the Museum of Sex, we dutifully obliged. Arriving with adult literature in hand, we met collections manager Lizzie Murray on the corner of 27th Street and Fifth Avenue. Murray was eager to take us “behind the scenes” and show us the ropes. And show us the ropes she did -- the ropes, the chains, the whips and more.
Our sexcapade started with the Sex in Design/Design in Sex exhibit, highlighting the best and most compelling artworks of sexual expression through digital, fashion and product design. One of the features of the exhibit was an extensive collection of condoms whose two-and-a-half inch wrappers served as canvases for artists including as Ron English, Peter Kuper and Trevor Brown. Another display featured quartz and crystal-incrusted dildos from high-end conceptual sex toy designer Shiri Zinn. (Side note: as per exhibit display notes, Kate Moss, Emma ‘Baby Spice’ Bunton and Ivana Trump are all fans.)
We climbed a flight of stairs illuminated by blacklight to Action: Sex and the Moving Image, an exhibit that shows how over the years sex has influenced television, film, advertising and the Internet. Projection screens around the room displayed the evolution of sexual content, starting with the lusty humor of Mae West, and continuing to the explicit performances of Jenna Jameson and Ron Jeremy.
Through the corridor was the Permanent Collection, which is built on eight themes: sex education; mapping sex in America; sex in art; law and public morality; sex in advertising; sex and technology; sex and entertainment; and the significance of the Museum of Sex in New York City. The most intriguing display was the Real Doll, introduced by Abyss Creations in 1996. The Real Doll allows custom design in the form of head and body type, skin tone, breast size, hair and eye color, pubic hair color and style plus more. The doll promises to always be ready to please its owner’s every desire.
After browsing through the “gift” shop, we exited the darkness through the heavy metal doors to be greeted by the four o’clock sunshine. Before returning to the office after a hard day on the job, we decided to stop at Pinkberry. We needed to cool down.
Sex in Design/Design in Sex will run through July 13 while Action: Sex and the Moving Image and Spotlight on the Permanent Collection are ongoing exhibits. For more information visit www.museumofsex.com or call 212-689-6337.
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