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Erotic Art

The Alwun House plans its 28th annual Exotic Art Show.

By Cait Brennan

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Erotic Tradition

Alwun House pushes the boundaries with annual Exotic Art Show

One of the Valley's most enduring, boundary-pushing annual art events returns in all its naked glory as the Alwun House celebrates its Exotic "Phantasmagorical Spectacular" Art Show on Feb. 10.

"It's the longest running erotic art show in the country," said Kim Moody, founding director of Alwun House.

Now in its 28th year, the Exotic Art Show bacchanalia combines an erotic art exhibition with one-of-a-kind performances that lives up to the name. "People say ‘how can that show still be going on?'" Moody laughed. "It's because it's different every year."

From the beginnings in the mid 1980s, "it's evolved into a big spectacular show, where you have three hours of nonstop show on two stages," Moody said. In addition, 60 artists will display "sensual, personal, provocative and audacious art" on two floors. Moody expects 400 to 600 visitors.

The Exotic Art Show originated with the late Rudy Turk, the founding curator of the ASU Art Museum and an early Alwun House board member. Alwun House was looking for a fundraiser, and Turk noticed that many local artists were reluctant to show their edgier, more sexually charged work — and many galleries were equally reluctant.

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"That work, which is usually something out of the ordinary, sometimes it's fantasies that get a little dark or a little sexy, don't get their viewing, and Rudy Turk said ‘We'll give this art a chance ... we'll call it exotic and everyone will call it erotic.' And that's the truth."

Since then, the Exotic Art Show has become Alwun House's annual big-ticket fundraiser, providing vital funds to support the nonprofit Alwun House Foundation's art programs.

Since 1971, Alwun House has racked up a long list of Valley art firsts, including presenting the first gay art show in Phoenix.

Gay life in Phoenix has evolved dramatically, Moody said. "It's such a broad, dynamic change," he said. "At one point, I was dancing with a man and the police raided the place. I wasn't caught, but men, same sex couples could not even dance together. Can you believe that? In downtown Phoenix. Young gay people have no idea!"

The Exotic Art Show has grown as well. "It started out more esoteric and it's evolved to attract a broader range of artists," Moody said. Artists and fans from all over the U.S. travel to the show.

Dana Johnson, Moody's partner of more than two decades, curates the art exhibit, which continues through March 17.

Moody coordinates the event, including the customary array of boundary-busting performances. "It draws from an upscale crowd to the kinkiest possible person that you would never have bumped into at any other place than at Alwun House," Moody said. "And everybody gets along. That's what's been amazing."

LaGoose Egg This year's event is dubbed an "Exotic Phantasmagorical Spectacular." "It goes back to the early light boxes, where people looked in and saw things flickering, it was called phantasmogorical." Moody explained. "We'll have interactive video and sensual imagery pulsing throughout the space."

A roving band of performance artists, drag performers and tribal dancers will entertain the crowd, including a body painter and the triumphant return of perennial Alwun favorite "Joe the Balloon Pimp," whose specialty is creating anatomically correct balloon sculpture. "

Guests will also enjoy live jazz music, complimentary "decadent delectable edibles," chocolates, champagne and a cash bar.

Entertainment includes mistress of festivities Hillz Thrillz, burlesque performance artist La Goosie, Tucson belly dancer Kamrah, Bedouin Tribe belly dancers and Phoenix-based burlesque troupe Provocatease, whose cabaret show features tap, tassel twirling, striptease, fire performance and more. DJ-MX will spin music for the post-show dance party.

"There's a wide variety of the bizarre and out of the ordinary," Moody said. "That's us. We're out of the ordinary." -E

VITAL STATISTICS

Exotic Art Show Phantasmagorical Extravaganza
Alwun House
1204 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix
8 p.m. Feb. 10
Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door
602-253-7887; www.alwunhouse.org