How would erotica look as a musical score? It's a question that Yugoslavian artist Ana Prvački has answered in a rather frank manner with a new series of works called the 'Porn Scores', that see the artist deface classical sheet music with cartoon-like sketches of genitalia squeezed in-between notes, dangling below the staff and ejaculating across the bars. It's the kind of limitation-exploring, comedic approach for which the LA-based artist is known.
'The relationship between music and eroticism has been consistent,' explains the LA-based artist. 'Studies of music rooms of 17th and 18th century France and Italy show that young girls and women were encouraged to play an instrument but not too well. It was understood that a daily and in-depth experience of music would be too carnal for proper young women.'
It is these uneasy feelings within our cultural mores that inspires her work, something she describes as a 'reconciliation of etiquette and erotics'.
Arranged into bound scores and propped up on music stands designed by Prvački, 22 of the Porn Scores (Wagner's Tristan and Isolde opera takes up ten sheets alone) are currently on show at LA gallery 1301PE alongside Prvački's 'Tent, Quartet, Bows and Elbows' - a video work which sees a string quartet perform music inside the confines of a tent, the bows of their instruments frenetically poking and stretching the fabric along to the music. Attendees at the show's opening will be treated to a live performance of this by an LA based quartet, the Lyris.
Even those unable to attend can still participate in the titilating show by printing and completing the suggestive crossword puzzle poster (pictured above) that Prvački has created to promote the exhibition. The first Wallpaper* reader to submit the completed puzzle to crossword@1301PE.com will receive a drawing by Prvački herself. Now that's what we call interactive art.
'The relationship between music and eroticism has been consistent,' explains the LA-based artist. 'Studies of music rooms of 17th and 18th century France and Italy show that young girls and women were encouraged to play an instrument but not too well. It was understood that a daily and in-depth experience of music would be too carnal for proper young women'
Alongside the suggestive score sheets is Prvački's 'Tent, Quartet, Bows and Elbows' - a video work which sees a string quartet perform music inside the confines of a tent, the bows of their instruments frenetically poking and stretching the fabric along to the music
This work shows a composition for Wilhelm Reich, German psychoanalyst who, as a descendant of Freudian heritage, perceived signs of sexuality everywhere
The sheet's drawings, again dedicated to Wilhelm Reich, seem to emphasise the ubiquity of genatalia, infusing musical expression with eroticism
This Debussy sheet is decorated with flying genatalia, ironically and playfully entitled 'Paysage Sentimental' (Romantic Landscape)
Another Debussy invaded by ubiquitous genatalia. The drawings seem to dance, perhaps to the beat of the music
In this sheet, the use of tipex and yellow seems like the extra effort to come closer to reality. The flying genatalia are now white and yellow flying genatalia
The colours multiply on this Wagner sheet. This is the kind of limitation-exploring, comedic approach Prvački is known for
ADDRESS
1301PE Gallery
6150 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
-
Highlights from the transporting Cruise 2026 showsThe Cruise 2026 season began yesterday with a Chanel show at Lake Como, heralding the start of a series of jet-setting, destination runway shows from fashion’s biggest houses
-
Behind the design of national pavilions in Venice: three studios to knowDesigning the British, Swiss and Mexican national pavilions at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 are three outstanding studios to know before you go
-
Premium patisserie Naya is Mayfair’s latest sweet spotHeritage meets opulence at Naya bakery in Mayfair, London. With interiors by India Hicks and Anna Goulandris, the patisserie looks good enough to eat
-
Shadow play: artist Ana Prvački satirises the art market with new works in LA -
Finding comfort in an uncomfortable imagination: Ana Prvački at ICA Singapore -
Artist Ana Prvacki mixes up a cocktail with divine appeal for Absolut at Art Basel -
Performance artist Ana Prvacki exhibits at Utah Contemporary Art Museum
