I very much hope that you’ve enjoyed the long Easter weekend break.
Anyway we took time out today to comment on a “live art” project being planned for Scotland.
But with so many clearly necessary pressures on the public purse, one has to wonder why Creative Scotland considered it reasonable to even consider granting £84,000 of public money to a project involving non simulated sex performances!
The planned event has been described as a 45-minute moving image installation that “immerses audiences in a raucous communal exploration of dyke sexuality” involving a climax advertised as a “secret cave sex party”.
Organisers of the project are advertising for participants and budding performers who’ll be able to pocket £270 per day – not a bad “earner” given that some of the roles will involve just snogging but some more hard core acts are planned.
It’s not clear whether these will involve any additional payments!
Anyway those who’ve had previous sex work experience – “particularly in porn contexts” – are especially encouraged to apply.
Those lucky enough to be selected for the project will be guided and supported by intimacy coordinators to allow cast members to realise a fantastical erotic world.
A Creative Scotland spokesperson said: “We support freedom of expression and artists being able to push the boundaries of radical performance.”
Not surprisingly the project has drawn criticism and complaints that taxpayer money is even being considered for a project so extreme that they have to offer counselling to participants and which openly celebrates the exploitation and abuse of women.”
The Scottish government said funding decisions are made independently by the arts body.
Meanwhile at the other end of the scale we reported on the rather more repressive policies adopted elsewhere, notably in North Korea.
Surprising as it may seem but an old episode of a BBC programme on gardening just recently appeared on North Korea’s main TV channel KOREAN CENTRAL TELEVISION.
Frankly I’m amazed that the North Koreans even considered that there’d be much of an audience in the DPRK for such an exiting piece of television, but hey what do I know?
The episode that aired had originally been broadcast here back in 2010, so hardly up to date and no one seems to have any idea just how the Koreans got their hands on the programme, which they had probably “pirated” from somewhere.
The episode in question was hosted by ALAN TITCHMARSH, but when he knelt down to tend some plants, the North Korean authorities took immediate action to blur out the blue jeans he was wearing.
This was clearly done in support of North Korean leader, KIM JONG UN’s determination to prevent the minds of North Korean youth from being corrupted by the sight of such blazon western fashion and culture.
Blue jeans are deemed to be particularly provocative and have been banned in the country since the 1990’s.
Strange then that for a brief period North Korea actually exported designer jeans to Sweden!
All being well I very much hope to be back with you again tomorrow,
Scott
