Bonn Exhibition Traces Cultural History and Language of Sex Work
A new exhibition titled 'Sex Work: A Cultural History' at the Bundeskunsthalle in Bonn explores how language, stigma, and policy have shaped the perception of sex work throughout history. The display combines art, archival materials, legal documents, and contemporary voices to illustrate how terminology has evolved from moralizing euphemisms like Rudyard Kipling’s 'ancient profession' to political labels such as 'social parasite' in the Soviet Bloc. Co-curated with sex worker activists, including Ernestine Pastorello, the exhibition highlights how terms like 'prostitute' were historically applied broadly to marginalized women, while modern digital platforms like OnlyFans have introduced new identities such as 'porn performer.' It also examines the activist origins of the term 'sex work,' coined by Carol Leigh in the late 1970s to frame the activity as labor rather than a moral failing. By tracing these linguistic shifts, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on how societal views on gender, class, and legitimacy are constructed through language, without advocating for specific policy changes but rather encouraging critical engagement with historical and current narratives surrounding sexual labor.
Wire timeline
Bonn Exhibition Traces Cultural History and Language of Sex Work
A new exhibition titled 'Sex Work: A Cultural History' at the Bundeskunsthalle in Bonn explores how language, stigma, and policy have shaped the perception of sex work throughout history. The display combines art, archival materials, legal documents, and contemporary voices to illustrate how terminology has evolved from moralizing euphemisms like Rudyard Kipling’s 'ancient profession' to political labels such as 'social parasite' in the Soviet Bloc. Co-curated with sex worker activists, including Ernestine Pastorello, the exhibition highlights how terms like 'prostitute' were historically applied broadly to marginalized women, while modern digital platforms like OnlyFans have introduced new identities such as 'porn performer.' It also examines the activist origins of the term 'sex work,' coined by Carol Leigh in the late 1970s to frame the activity as labor rather than a moral failing. By tracing these linguistic shifts, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on how societal views on gender, class, and legitimacy are constructed through language, without advocating for specific policy changes but rather encouraging critical engagement with historical and current narratives surrounding sexual labor.
Deutsche Welle