Love Monument (for Dominatrix), 2019
893 glass bottles, oil, pigments, lettered labels, metal, 204 x 346 x 277 cm / ´Let´s not..´
Love monument is based on intensive research and interviews with professional dominatrices from both Germany and LA.
It is a homage to the people who perform this therapeutic profession that, in addition to its pure hedonist aspect, touches upon the depths of our socio-cultural networks, our attitudes, complex psychological dimensions and personal visions.
893 bottles filled to various levels with unscented colored oil are positioned over the 26 shelves of a structure that resembles a grandstand. Each bottle is labelled with a different term from the professional dominatrix sphere. Together, they form an archive of collected terms that are organized into categories depicted by the different colors on the bottle’s labels.
The terms can be read in combination with each other and can, therefore, be curated by the viewer, moving from language to an individual image. The spectator can also step behind the scenes and grandstand of the Love Monument.
With their perfectly staged performances, savvy dominatrices create physical, psychological and many other forms of experimental spaces for their subs and clients. Under their direction, in their game, the dominatrix pushes boundaries and steps over taboos, they question social status, conventions, rules and power structures, bringing spaces of culture, fantasy and politics together while transforming them.
They are committed to the social and legal equality of sex workers in their community (f/m). As a part of the queer community and movement, they are socially and politically committed to education and transparency, like in the fields of anti-discrimination and anti-police brutality. Public events, parades, social media channels and the Dungeon in its extension offer platforms and places for exchange and discussion to strengthen the multifaceted community-network. A dominatrix‘s work is also her lifestyle.
Labels with black ink on a silver background represent descriptions of the subs/slaves, for example ashtray mouth, mobile WC, sock puppet, serf pig, 247 slave, property, and so on. White ink on red labels contain various terms given to dominatrixes, such as soul crusher, therapist, alpha femme. One category designates devices, accessories, tools or toys that can be used in a session, like tabasco sauce, bull whip, necksmellbag with black letters on a white background. A further category identifies terms given to certain body parts, such as face slapping, foot fist lunchtime, nipple torture, face blush and gnocchi vomit. White words on a black label represent a main category of scenes, SM practices and techniques without explicitly naming the performances, like brainwashing session, authentic kidnapping, sewing games, sissification, water sports, nerve therapy. Conditions, feelings and possible effects that can occur during the sessions, as well as common attitudes and statements can be found both from the perspective of the femdom and subs. Black on red represents the femdom’s viewpoint with terms such as mindfulness, presence, navigate, help learning, perfection, love, strict; whereas violet on red categorises the view of the sub, ecstatic laughter, goose bump, deep meditative state, euphoric bliss, endorphin shock, emotional, moaning, transform. White labels with blue text stand for the animal play category containing words and term such as wolf with no owner, social-, race-, hunting-, breeding-, rescue- or field animal, cheetah, alligator, cyber pet. The physical action field of the community forms another category; themed rooms, Christmas charity slave auction, play space, weekly party, white room, soundproofed garage, three story dungeon, medical fantasy room.
Photo: Tamara Lorenz, Thomas Weidenhaupt, Selma Gültoprak
Installation view: Martinetz