Melanie Coles. The exhibition caused walkouts, made headlines, inspired a debate in the House of Commons, and is still regarded as one of the most controversial shows in both the ICA's history and that of British contemporary art.
Their work was often extreme and Prostitution was no different: shocking performances alongside pornographic images of Cosey, who had entered the commercial pornographic world as a form of performance art.
Also exhibited were props from COUM's performances ranging from a rusted knife to a jar of Vaseline to bloodied objects such as bandages, tampons and bottles of blood. The title Prostitution was just as much in reference to the art world as it was to the bodily act:. A traditional speech from the director was replaced by a stripper, wine was replaced with beer, and muted chat was drowned out by punk band LSD โ actually a moniker for early punk band Chelsea.
The night also notably marked the official launch of Throbbing Gristle. Immediately after the opening the exhibit had made the dailies, tabloids, punk fanzines and art press alike. The ICA, no stranger to controversial exhibits, held its position. Its arts centre director, Ted Little, told the Arts Council :.
But as the tabloids, traditional press and art critics loudly voiced their objections to Prostitution , its artists fed off this criticism. Clippings were framed and added to the exhibit daily as soon they came off the press, becoming as much a part of the performative element of the exhibition as the opening itself, and echoing COUM's statements on media distortion and mis representation:.
