Kisaeng Aengmu/Kayla (banner excerpt), 2023-2024 / Photograph by Felis Stella; banner artwork by Jerri Allyn
A free, groundbreaking pop-up exhibition titled Sx Celebrated: Expanding Erotic Power is coming to The Art Room in Downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, September 28, 2024. The one-day event features artist Jerri Allyn’s provocative portrait banners and a schedule of events from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. that aims to challenge viewpoints, cultivate understanding, and honor the diverse experiences of individuals working in sex-positive and sexual health fields.
Upon entering The Art Room, a striking series of oversized photomontage portraits captures the eye. Each large “banner” depicts individuals deeply involved in pro-sexuality work and sex-positive social justice movements. The prints are thoughtfully framed with hand-sewn fabric and feature historical and imaginary figures embodying powerful concepts such as fertility, androgyny, activism, and love. This unique installation invites viewers to engage with larger-than-life representations of contemporary changemakers and their causes. The exhibition is particularly timely, as it addresses ongoing debates surrounding the #MeToo movement, feminist perspectives on sexuality, inadequate sex education, and the rights of sex workers.
For over three decades, Jerri Allyn has been at the forefront of socially engaged art, weaving together diverse mediums to create impactful experiences that challenge societal norms. With her MA in Art & Community, Allyn’s artistic repertoire is as diverse as it is profound. From thought-provoking audio and video installations to eye-catching electronic billboards, from intricately crafted sculptural books to widely distributed prints, her work defies easy categorization. Notably, Allyn has gained recognition for her site-specific, interactive installations and performance art events that seamlessly blend into the fabric of public life. Enter Sx Celebrated: Expanding Erotic Power: It’s not just an exhibition but a dynamic series of talks, educational opportunities, a film screening, and a performance within a jam-packed schedule of events throughout the day.
Highlights include a 10 a.m. morning “mythbusters” event, which tackles false rumors about the deed. At 3 p.m., a roundtable discussion explores how grassroots activism has gradually advanced issues related to comprehensive sex education, body positivity, and sex workers’ rights from the 1960s through today. At 6 p.m. is a screening of the short film Lady Los Angeles, which addresses critical issues related to sex work, which is followed by a panel discussion titled “The Power of Femme Resistance.” The conversation will feature diverse perspectives from Lady Los Angeles writer/director Antonia Crane; Sydney Rogers, a Black trans advocate; and Mz Neon, a multimedia artist. With its substantive programming, the day-long series of events can drive a much-needed cultural conversation around sexuality. By creating an inclusive space for open dialogue, honest conversations like these reduce the stigma and shame that still surround sex in today’s society.
Sx Celebrated: Expanding Erotic Power takes place on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 10:00am to 10:00pm at The Art Room, 908 S. Olive St., Los Angeles 90015. Admission is free, with donations benefiting the non-profit organization, The Woman’s Building. Support comes from The National Tanes Fund, Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions (LACE)’s Lightning Fund, The Art Room, and The Woman’s Building.
