Sex Among the Lotus
Introduction
As Chinese civilization evolved during the first millennium BC, two distinct, yet complementary philosophies shaped Chinese culture – Daoism and Confucianism, both that addressed sexuality.
Daoist sexual practice stresses the balance of the primordial energies of the universe – the yin and yang. Sex plays an integral role in one’s search for immortality. Confucianism looks at sex more pragmatically. Its most important purpose is to produce sons, ensuring the continuity of the family. While not mutually exclusive, both philosophies caused social and cultural tensions and divergent norms of behavior throughout China’s long history.
Sex Among the Lotus: 2500 Years of Chinese Erotic Obsession provides visitors with a sweeping survey of Chinese erotica – from erotic Bronze Age poetry and tomb tile with explicit imagery dating from the 2nd century BC to the sexual excesses of the Emperor and his Court and the latest pornography hot off the commercial presses
Throughout the dynasties, sex was considered a natural and essential act. In fact, sex and nature are synonymous, sharing the same word “xing.” Therefore, nature’s outdoor realm provided couples with the most satisfying settings for sex, in both fact and metaphor.
From the earliest times, men were instructed to have frequent intercourse to ensure a long and healthy life. Third century Chinese sex manuals are concerned with the balance of yin and yang through constant sexual intercourse with multiple partners. Men were instructed to satisfy a woman to orgasm, but refrain from ejaculating. By conserving their male yang force, they were encouraged to emulate the mythical “Yellow Emperor,” who became immortal after having intercourse with 12,000 women!
Women’s feet have been the focal point of Chinese erotic obsession for the last 1000 years. The practice of foot binding, which reportedly began with the 10th century Imperial Court, eventually spread to the general populace. A woman’s “golden lotus” feet (no longer than five inches) represented her discipline and desirability, securing a good marriage. Practiced for and by women, a mother bound her little girl’s feet with tight strips of cloth, restricting their growth and reshaping them into the ideal “lotus bud” form. For centuries, the tiny bound foot was considered the most erotically charged part of the body.
In Shanghai, beauty pageants for prostitutes became the rage. First held in 1882, the pageants focused great attention and reward on the beauty of a woman’s foot.
When the Communists came to power in 1947, they made sex a sin. Intercourse outside of marriage was a punishable crime. Foot binding was outlawed, brothels were shut down, sexual materials were confiscated, and the publishing of erotic literature was banned.
While China stands on the verge of yet another sexual transformation, Sex Among the Lotus places these exciting social developments in the context of the country’s long history of erotic obsession.
We wish to thank the following corporations for their support in the development and presentation of this exhibition.
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Exhibition Credits
Creative Team
Curator Grady T. Turner
Assistant Curator Rebecca Ames
Chief Archivist Dale Neighbors
Associate Curator of Research Matthew Barrick
Head Researcher Kimb Giunta
Associate Researcher Ellen Friedrichs
Associate Researcher Joshua M. Lupkin
Design
Exhibition Design Casson Mann
Architectural Design Cleanroom Inc
Graphic Design Pentagram
Interactive Installations Small Design Firm
Video Editing/Installations Fish Media Inc
Website Design Entropy8Zuper!
Historians Advisory Board
Elizabeth Blackmar, P.h.D.
George Chauncey, P.h.D.
Patricia Cline Cohen, P.h.D.
Martin Duberman, P.h.D.
Timothy J. Gilfoyle, P.h.D.
Joan Nestle
Jan Seidler Ramirez, P.h.D.
June M. Reinisch, P.h.D.
Luc Sante
Michael Sappol, P.h.D.
Andrea Tone, P.h.D.
Mike Wallace, P.h.D.
Suzanne Wasserman, P.h.D.
Craig Steven Wilder, P.h.D.
Artists
“1001 Nights in Manhattan” Entropy8Zuper!
Loans & Gifts
Harmony Club
The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction
The Lesbian Herstory Archives
The New York Historical Society
The New York Public Library
Mark Rotenburg
Annie Sprinkle
Veronica Vera
Ralph Whittington
Consultants
Special Counsel Slater & Beckerman
Architect of Record Michael Zenreich
Senior Consultant, Sponsorship Jennifer Mondoux
Executive Director Daniel Gluck
VP, Bus. Devel. & Corp. Communications Bonni Hamilton
Webmaster Susan Lebovitz Gluck
Chief Technology Officer Michael Casale
Finance Director Derek Goodman
Dir of Ops, Museum Store & Visitor Svcs
Wendy Jo Martling
Asst Dir of Ops, Museum Store & Visitor Svcs Nicole Wells
Senior Advisor June M. Reinisch, P.h.D.
Special Advisor Jack Heidenry
Admin. Assistant & Researcher Jessica R. Davis
Production
Audio Production Antenna Audio
Exhibition Construction Fernando Galvis, Artek-Design/Build
Exhibition Metal Fab Temple Construction
Electric/Fixture Installation Double D Electric
Video System Design & Integration Design & Production
Digital Photography ABIGGERBOAT