Prostitution in Berlin, Leipzig, Bangkok, Madrid and Skopje β crushing stereotypes about one of the most taboo forms of work. The exhibition opens on Friday, 23 August at 8 pm at the Mali salon gallery.
The aim of the project is to begin a dialogue, support empowerment and freedom of association and the struggle of sex workers for their sexual, labour and healthcare rights. An important part of this research was to crush the prevailing stereotypes about one of the most taboo forms of work. The thought of finding a connection between the concepts of sex and work and compounding them into the concept of sex work is still a trigger of negative ideation in the minds of many who view these two spheres of human life as mutually exclusive.
The CODE:RED project has thus far been implemented in numerous cities: from Venice and New York all the way to Madrid and Bangkok in an effort to explore the local specifics of sex work, and to connect female sex workers to artists, activists, theoreticians, artistic institutions and organisations. From its inception, the term has, however, received considerable criticism and negative feedback, so it remains controversial to this day as its critics accuse it of trying to reconcile two completely irreconcilable concepts.
Sex is, on the other hand, viewed more as a way of unwinding after a hard day at work or forgetting about everyday concerns, generating revenue or developing and selling products; it is nothing more, nothing less than enjoyment requiring no particular space, equipment or office hours. It is certainly not a topic that is widely discussed in public, so it cannot be a matter of status or prestige.
Finding a connection between the concepts of sex and work, and compounding them into the concept of sex work is still a trigger of negative ideation in the minds of many who view these two spheres of human life as mutually exclusive, and who fear the possibility that, at some point in time, this compound might alter our understanding of both.
