Sex Machines Museum - Prague, Czechoslavakia
Opened in January 2003 and refurbished in 2004, the museum showcases over 200 objects in an old 17th century building in the centre of Prague. The collection is the result of years of research by owner Oriano Bizzocchi. He originally set out to collect erotic devices for his Museum of Curiosities in San Marino, but ended up accumulating such a huge array of items that they deserved their own exhibition. Using his savings, he toured the antique shops of Europe and acquired a wide variety of historical sexual items. He converted a candle shop into the bright red museum. The collection has faced its critics. The mayor of Prague attempted to close the museum down following complaints by parents about a particularly risque sadomasochistic window display. Others felt the museum's proximity to the Museum of Medieval Torture Instruments meant that the historical centre of Prague had lost its dignity. "We requested the Czech police and the city business department to evaluate whether it was something that is out of line with good morals," said the mayor. "The result was negative." Curator Samuele Nubile responded by removing the display. The ground floor was turned into a gift shop. "We want the people of Prague to like us," Nubile told the Prague Post. "We are adding to the culture of the city." "We didn't mean to offend," Oriano told the Guardian's Kate Connolly. "We certainly don't want to be considered rude by the people of Prague." The deputy mayor announced that a flower shop would be preferable. The museum's press release elaborates on the philosophy behind the collection. "The key to understanding the Sex Machines Museum is also in having fun and wondering on the effect of seeing sadomasochistic gadgets, artificial limbs and a whole number of patented, yet never construed apparatuses and objects. All this makes one think how man has struggled since ancient times to invent and build sexual aids serving to increase sexual pleasure with creativity and imagination." Collection Highlights The "throne" - a 19th century rocker that toured brothels, anti-masturbation machines, 19th century metal buttock protector, the "dick tree", voyeuristic chamber pots, handle-operated vibrators, antique stimulation machines, a reconstruction of an old cinema complete with erotic films from the 1920s, historical condoms and sadomasochistic gadgets. Facts for the Visitor
Articles Oriano
Bizzocchi Sex Museum - Guardian via Buzzle.com |
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The
Sex Machines Museum describes itself as an exhibition of "mechanical
erotic appliances, the purpose of which is to bring pleasure and
allow extraordinary and unusual positions during intercourse."