23/03/16
Portfolio: Sidsel Meineche Hansen
Sidsel Meineche Hansen: SECOND SEX WAR
Gasworks, London
17 March – 29 May 2016
“I
would like to either abolish gender or multiply it beyond the binary, which
would equate to the same thing,” says Danish-born, London-based artist Sidsel
Meineche Hansen, whose current exhibition, SECOND SEX WAR, explores how this
concept might be (re)produced in virtual adult entertainment.
Among other things, a new animated
video, presented on Oculus Rift virtual reality headsets, considers the
question of what post-human sex and sexuality might be like. Visitors take on the role of
the avatar EVA v3.0 to
experience this firsthand. Meineche Hansen is, in part, motivated by the
feminist “sex wars” of the late 70s/early 80s, which politicised the concept
and representation of female sexuality and led to a split of the feminist
movement into anti-pornography and anti-censorship camps. Her own attitude
towards pornography is unresolved, but her work debatably falls into the
category of 3D porn. But is pornography art? “Sure, if you say it’s art, it’s
art,” Meineche Hansen replies nonchalantly.
Alongside the video, Meineche Hansen is displaying a series of polymer clay sculptures and reliefs. Her practice is research-led and a series of
seminars, planned for during SECOND
SEX WAR, will look at the overlap
between pornography and body horror. Although entrenched in academic discourse,
they will be open to all. As for the exhibition, however, parental discretion
is advised!
Published in the April print issue of DIVA magazine