Erotic, seductive, who knows?
August 6, 2004 | 12:00am
LOS ANGELES — "Seductive" may not be a word one would normally use to describe a museum. But for this particular institution in Hollywood devoted to the procurement, care, study, and display of sex objects, "seductive" is the most appropriate.
The Erotic Museum in Hollywood opened its doors to the public on January 16. Owner Mark Volper who used to be an engineer and even a certified public accountant started his collection of erotic art — paintings, drawings, and literature – when he was 30. He says it wasn’t an easy hobby since erotic materials were illegal in the Soviet Union, where he was born and raised. For 20 years he smuggled his collection to different countries just to take them out of Russia, and it was only a few years ago that he was able to collect everything again.
Volper’s years of research about sex and his collection of erotic materials are now on display in Hollywood’s most provocative spot. On the first floor, A Century of Sex exhibit reveals an arousing history of all things related to eroticism from the Victorian Age to Victoria’s Secret and beyond. On display are ancient jade carvings from China, depicting couples in different sexual positions. From Nepal are intricate wood carvings of the Kama Sutra. On the walls hang Pablo Picasso’s erotic etchings. There’s also a small television screen that continuously plays the famous Red Velvet nudes of Marilyn Monroe, a "blue movie" she allegedly did when she was still a young actress struggling to break into Hollywood.
Monroe’s estate was said to have persistently made a bid for the rights of the said movie. Is it really her? Some guests of The Erotic Museum simply watch the film over and over trying to guess.
But that’s not the only film showing in the museum. Behind the staircase to the second floor is a large screen showing other porn attractions in front of velvet couches where guests may sit and watch until midnight, when the museum closes shop (Fridays-Saturdays). Also interesting to look at are portraits and short biographies of the men and women whom the museum describes as "sexual pioneers." Making the cut are Dr. Ruth, Mae West, Sigmund Freud, and of course, Playboy honcho Hugh Hefner.
Upstairs, in contrast to the subdued, seductive lightings on the first floor, is a brightly lit gallery space that contains a vast array of erotic-themed subjects. In one corner stands a video game where guests can play nude mahjong. Next to it is a white table that supports three white telephone units. You don’t have to wait for the ringing tone to pick it up. It just plays erotic conversations recorded from real people. At least, that’s what Volper says.
A glass box contains a display of toys from as early as the 1800’s. Now you wonder what they looked like during the time of our forefathers. It certainly didn’t look user-friendly. But you can trace from that period to the present, modern technology has contributed a lot to aid man’s quest for carnal pleasure.
"Sex is something of interest to people of all ages, all religious, all races, all colors, all ethnicities. Sex probably is the most common denominator of all people," Volper says. And the usually crowded building on Hollywood Boulevard is a testament to that. If you ever find yourself in the area, make sure you have an identification card that shows your age. They card people at the front door and only those 21 and older can enter.
To be concluded
The Erotic Museum in Hollywood opened its doors to the public on January 16. Owner Mark Volper who used to be an engineer and even a certified public accountant started his collection of erotic art — paintings, drawings, and literature – when he was 30. He says it wasn’t an easy hobby since erotic materials were illegal in the Soviet Union, where he was born and raised. For 20 years he smuggled his collection to different countries just to take them out of Russia, and it was only a few years ago that he was able to collect everything again.
Volper’s years of research about sex and his collection of erotic materials are now on display in Hollywood’s most provocative spot. On the first floor, A Century of Sex exhibit reveals an arousing history of all things related to eroticism from the Victorian Age to Victoria’s Secret and beyond. On display are ancient jade carvings from China, depicting couples in different sexual positions. From Nepal are intricate wood carvings of the Kama Sutra. On the walls hang Pablo Picasso’s erotic etchings. There’s also a small television screen that continuously plays the famous Red Velvet nudes of Marilyn Monroe, a "blue movie" she allegedly did when she was still a young actress struggling to break into Hollywood.
Monroe’s estate was said to have persistently made a bid for the rights of the said movie. Is it really her? Some guests of The Erotic Museum simply watch the film over and over trying to guess.
But that’s not the only film showing in the museum. Behind the staircase to the second floor is a large screen showing other porn attractions in front of velvet couches where guests may sit and watch until midnight, when the museum closes shop (Fridays-Saturdays). Also interesting to look at are portraits and short biographies of the men and women whom the museum describes as "sexual pioneers." Making the cut are Dr. Ruth, Mae West, Sigmund Freud, and of course, Playboy honcho Hugh Hefner.
Upstairs, in contrast to the subdued, seductive lightings on the first floor, is a brightly lit gallery space that contains a vast array of erotic-themed subjects. In one corner stands a video game where guests can play nude mahjong. Next to it is a white table that supports three white telephone units. You don’t have to wait for the ringing tone to pick it up. It just plays erotic conversations recorded from real people. At least, that’s what Volper says.
A glass box contains a display of toys from as early as the 1800’s. Now you wonder what they looked like during the time of our forefathers. It certainly didn’t look user-friendly. But you can trace from that period to the present, modern technology has contributed a lot to aid man’s quest for carnal pleasure.
"Sex is something of interest to people of all ages, all religious, all races, all colors, all ethnicities. Sex probably is the most common denominator of all people," Volper says. And the usually crowded building on Hollywood Boulevard is a testament to that. If you ever find yourself in the area, make sure you have an identification card that shows your age. They card people at the front door and only those 21 and older can enter.
To be concluded
BrandSpace Articles
<
>