Sex in a museum – what might sound like a bourgeois fantasy wil lfeature in the exhibition programme at the Museum of Communication Frankfurt starting in October 2024. This topic selection may initially seem puzzling in a museum run by the Museum Foundation Post and Telecommunications. However, in this article, we look at why „sex“ is a logical choice as an exhibition topic and how the initial idea became a concrete exhibition plan.

Sex in Media and Technology History

„Let’s think about something on communication and sexuality“ – this idea has circled around the museum for many years. The museum’s focus on media history shows that as soon as new communication technology became established, erotic content was also circulated with it. For example, the exhibition „Mensch Telefon. Aspekte telefonischer Kommunikation “ (“Wow telephone! Aspects of telephone communication”) in the year 2000 focused on telephone sex and the dirty talk between the first sex phone users. A look into the museum’s collection also reveals a surprisingly large number of postcards showing scantily clad women talking on the phone. Pleasure evoked by listening also plays a role on the radio, as in the series „Erotische Literatur“ (“Erotic Literature”), published by MDR between 2000 to 2008.

The history of film and television is just as old as their use for depicting sexuality. The first erotic films such as “Bedtime for the Bride” (1896) were already being shown in the days of silent film. The arrival of TVs into living rooms in the 1960s meant that erotic or soft porn films were available for the first time as a mass medium in late broadcasting times. Older generations may still remember „Liebesgrüße aus der Lederhose“ (Greetings from the Lederhosen), „Schulmädchenreport“ (Confessions of Schoolgirls), or „Eis am Stiel“ (Lolly Pop). When it comes to  „sex and media history“, younger people are more likely to think of porn sites, fan fiction, and dating apps. In any case, there is definitely enough material around to become part of the Museum of Communication.

Sex is Communication

In the museum world, quite a few exhibitions have discussed sex and sexuality. Examples are  „Sex brennt“ (Sex is on fire) at the Berlin Museum of Medical History, „100,000 Jahre Sex“ (100.000 years of sex) at the Rhine State Museum Trier and „Gender“ at the Stapferhaus in Lenzburg. Once the basic idea of organising another exhibition on sexuality had been established, it was then necessary to develop a specific focus and approach to the topic. The Museum of Communication takes a unique perspective on this topic with its focus on media, communication, and technological change.

A first draft entitled “Sex. Macht. Media.” (‘Sex. Power. Media) was written by Corinna Engel, Annabelle Hornung and Tine Nowak in early 2022. „Sex is communication“ was the basic idea behind their concept. With a sex-positive and queer-feminist approach, they see successful communication as the key to fulfilling one’s sexuality and to social acceptance of different sexual identities. The team focussed on media and technology and created an exhibition that shows how the media worlds surrounding us, influence our communication about sex, and our desires and cravings for sexuality. There should now be no doubt as to why this topic belongs in The Museum of Communication.

Exhibition Work is Teamwork

Museum director Helmut Gold approved the exhibition concept and the curatorial team got to work: research literature was ordered and read, „Jour Fixe Sex“ became a regular date in the calendars and a project vacancy was advertised. This is how Julia Marzoner joined the team as curator for this exhibition.

The work begins when the approach to the topic, the focus, and the initial composition of the team have been clarified; concepts and objects are researched and discussed; titles are brainstormed and discarded; exhibition designers are sought and hired, and much more. In addition, content experts are invited as early as possible to share their expertise. This is how the exhibition slowly begins to take shape over many months.

In the Museum of Communication, the whole process from the initial idea to the exhibition opening, takes almost two years. You can follow this process and enter into dialogue with us on our Expotizer, the exhibition’s digital presence. We invite you to contribute to our exhibition even before the opening! Take part in our survey or leave us your thoughts and suggestions in the comments. We look forward to exchanging ideas with you!