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Saturday, July 12, 2008

Erotica Museum

Today, my local chapter of Fort Lauderdale, Florida Romance Writers (FRW) organized an outing to visit the World Erotica Art Museum in South Beach, Miami. About twenty-five romance writers carpooled to spend a few hours at the museum where the owner and curator Noami Witzig received us. She gave us a very entertaining tour and explained that the four-thousand art pieces are part of a private collection by a single owner: herself. She bought them from all around the world and opened her museum almost three years ago, the only erotica museum in United States.

In addition to Mythological, Biblical and Oriental, one could find Ethnographic, Neo-Classical reproductions or originals, and European 17th to 20th century, American 20th century, very descriptive Alternative lifestyles and many more treasures.

A whole section dedicated to Japanese and Chinese erotica art counts numerous ivory figurines in different sexual positions, a huge black lacquered folding screen with ivory erotica decorations, innumerable drawings depicting sex, and paintings of geishas entertaining Japanese clients.

Another section presents English and French erotica art, French Can-Can dancers, Lady Godiva on her horse, famous nude paintings or funny sexual caricatures.

The Greek and Roman hall exhibits a huge golden phallus. The manager offered to take pictures of us standing next to the ceiling-high phallus, the only place where pictures are allowed. Most of us laughed and declined. The hall contains tapestries, sculptures, and miniatures of centaurs, satyrs and other mythological creatures. A whole room presents painting and sculptures of Leah and the swan. The legend has it that Zeus (Jupiter) the god of gods fell in love with the nymph Leah and transformed himself into a swan to seduce her.

I have to mention the Kuma Sutra wooden bed with four poles, each pole is a tall phallus; the bronze sculpture of a horse in erection; the paintings of a Pasha with his harem of seven naked women, all veiled; the Maharaja entertained by two concubines; a wall dedicated to Adam and Eve and their apple.

One room exhibits pictures of Marilyn Monroe from movies and Playboy magazines, while another harbors a collection of paintings and pictures of Josephine Baker.

If you come to Miami, take a few hours and visit this incredible museum. I guarantee you will have fun and learn a lot. And if you write erotica, this place will provide you with a well of inspiration. If you are interested in knowing more about this museum I can give you the website

20 comments:

Lynn LaFleur said...

What fun! But I think you should've had your picture taken with the big phallus ;-)

Lynn

Mary Ricksen said...

Hi Mona, I skipped the picture too, but my friend Cathy sat right down and raised her skirt to her knees.
It was fun and unique, and nice to see and hear your comments there.
I want to see Russia and Italy too!

Shelley Munro said...

It sounds like a fun place to visit. You know, it's not often you get the opportunity to have your photo taken with a golden phallus ;)

Unknown said...

You know, I think you'll regret not having your picture beside a ceiling high phallus...not often you get that chance

Mona Risk said...

You know you are REALLY, REALLY making me regretting not taking this photo. LOL Here I was wondering about what my hubby would say and he laughed and said he wants to see that.

Laura K said...

Wonder if next year at RT, some of us can take a little "field trip" to visit it. I bet it would be a hoot!

artlover said...

Definitely an entertaining blog. Wow, I wanta go visit... What a blast. What's the website? Are you gonna post it? Jean

Suzan said...

Hey Mona,
Got a kick out of your Trip to the Museum. I just visited a museum like that in Paris this March. Husband and I thought it would be an interesting change of pace from the cathedrals and art museums--and it was.
Sue

Savanna Kougar said...

Hi Mona, couldn't resist. I would like the website addy -- just for research, mind you.
If, by some miracle, I get to attent RT, that would be one of my ideal field trips...writin' the erotic genre, and all.
Thanks for posting this!

Savanna Kougar said...

That's supposed to erotic romance genre...see, you got me all flubberyied...

Mona Risk said...

I promise I'll post the website with my next blog. Definitely worth visiting.

Phoenix said...

Would love to see a link to this place! Wow sounds like you had a lot of fun.

Joan Leacott said...

Oh Mona, that sounds like such a good time. Can we go there when I come to Miami for the Cruise with Your Muse conference? All the way to the ceiling, huh? Gets a girl thinking.

Natasha Moore said...

What fun! I'd love to visit that place. Maybe next time I go to Florida to visit the parents.

Renee Field said...

Great blog! What a faboulous place to visit and very educational for us erotic writers. - Renee Field (www.reneefield.com)

Helen Scott Taylor said...

Sounds fascinating, Mona. Maybe I should have visited when I was in Miami!

Unknown said...

I never heard of that museum. Of course, I rarely drive down to Miami from Ft. Lauderdale. I'll have to check it out one of these weekends.

Mona Risk said...

Kelly, it was a blast.

Joan and Helen, it's a great idea. We will have to take you there.

Natasha and Renee, don't miss it if you come to Florida.

Ashley, you live in Ft Lauderdale. Where on earth? We maybe neighbors.

Tomorrow I'll post the website and address of the museum.

Betty Hanawa said...

Whoo-hooo! Sounds like an awesome field trip!!

Regina Carlysle said...

I wish you had pics of this. Dang...I'd love to see that BED. My sister lives in Orlando and next time I go to visit I'm going to suggest a trip. Sounds like a blast!!!!

Terrific blog, honey.