The FemSex Project: Art for Sex Sake

Media Release for Immediate Use

The FemSex Project
Art for Sex Sake
Revealing the Secret Sex Lives of NZ Women

Sex scenes in movies or on mainstream TV are more than common these days. But how true to reality are these sexual encounters for New Zealand women?

The FemSex Project ‘Art for Sex Sake’ is a national, community art project which aims to open bedroom doors to reveal the secret sex lives of NZ women. There is much to learn from each other’s experiences, including concrete evidence that there is no ‘normal’, but rather a huge diversity of preferences. As is stands, not much is known about the sexual behaviour of women in NZ other than pregnancy, abortion and STI statistics.

‘Art for Sex Sake’ is supported by Creative New Zealand’s Creative Communities scheme. The project is inviting women from all backgrounds to anonymously contribute a sexual secret. Secrets should be told in as few words as possible on the back of a postcard. Lettering should be bold and presented in a creative way. “You don’t have to be an artist to contribute to this project. Everyone has something valuable to express. It’s about telling your truth and revealing something personal in order for the final result to be an honest expression of humanity,” says Olivia Bryant, co-founder of the project.

The collected experiences will eventually be published in a publication intended to empower women in the community through its nature of sharing. “Sexuality should be something we can talk about easily, unfortunately it isn’t and too many young women are still uninformed and lack the confidence to protect themselves. We hope this book of collective experiences will help some women feel great about who they are and encourage others to be playful with their sexuality,” says Bryant.

“It’s important that women from all backgrounds and ages participate so we can demonstrate the multiplicity and subjectivity that exists within the sexual realm in New Zealand. It’s important that we present an accurate portrait of sex in this country,” says Kartini Thomas of the project. “We hope the final result will be a beautifully expressive, non -judgemental book that empowers, educates and creates a feeling of sisterhood.”

Olivia Bryant is an actor, sound artist, yoga teacher and writer. She most recently received an ‘honourable mention’ for her solo show in the Wellington Fringe Festival. She first became fascinated by sexuality while living in New York when she realised New York women are much more open about their sexuality than NZ women. She now leads sexuality workshops for women in Wellington focusing on things that don’t get taught at school.

Kartini Thomas is a multimedia artist with a background in public health and sex education. After working with women and midwives in the Philippines, West Africa and France, she completed a four-year degree in video in Paris. She most recently won Best Visual Arts at the 2006 Wellington Fringe Festival for her installation and performance project Bus B. She has always championed for women’s sexuality. Her part time job while at university was leading 1st year students on erotic tours of Paris.

You can view submissions and post online confessions on our website at www.femsexproject.co.nz. The FemSex project is also looking for women to talk on camera.

ENDS

© Scoop Media