"Although our sugary contemporary Valentine's Day traditions are a far cry from its brutal origins in Ancient Roman sacrifice and martyrdom, it's not uncommon for February 14 to inspire a little pain. It's an occasion to reflect on romantic love, and with that comes the pressure to externalize such musings, from planning the perfect date to avoiding all plans in defiance of the social code."
"The Museum of Sex's Utopia: Three Centuries of Sexuality in American Cults and Communes examines 20 historical "intentional communities," from the Shakers to the Cockettes to lesbian land-back communes. More than 300 artifacts, photos, films, and garments help explore how spirituality and sexuality worked together to create powerful ideas about transcendence and self-actualization, philosophies relevant to how we live today. As curator Jodi Wille said in a 2013 interview, "Oh man, there is so much of our history that is so empowering that just isn't explored by mainstream or even indie culture.""
New York City offers art-adjacent cultural activities for couples, polycules, or individuals seeking alternatives to conventional Valentine's Day rituals. Ten recommended events invite immersion in visual worlds that examine desire, sex, devotion, and care. The Museum of Sex stages Utopia: Three Centuries of Sexuality in American Cults and Communes, surveying twenty intentional communities with over 300 artifacts, photos, films, and garments that reveal intersections of spirituality and sexuality and ideas about transcendence and self-actualization. Additional offerings include nightlife ephemera exhibits showcasing rare 1970s and 1980s NYC print material and other design-focused experiences.
Read at Hyperallergic
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