Platforms, part of the ongoing Aphrodite Project, is a social sculpture: an interactive, wearable device that is a conceptual homage to the cult of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, a practical object for contemporary sex workers, and a vehicle for public dialogue. An integrated system of shoes and online services, Platforms draws on innovations made by venerated courtesans from antiquity to improve conditions of 21st century women. Despite advances in culture and technology, sex workers are now perceived to be outlaws by trade and are vulnerable to surveillance and violence. Platforms empowers people by providing tools they need to stay safe.
The Aphrodite Project is a series of new media artworks inspired by the cult of Aphrodite. Started by Norene Leddy in 2000, The Aphrodite Project consists of six multi-media artworks: Sanctuary, Platforms, Project Walkway, DIY, Kestos Imas, and Re/working The Map.
EXHIBITIONS | NEWS | EVENTS
Current + Upcoming
The Aphrodite Project is included in the new book
Garments of Paradise: Wearable Discourse in the Digital Age by Susan Elizabeth Ryan, published by MIT Press.
We are thrilled to be part of Tania Bruguera's
Museum of Arte Útil archive of socially-engaged art projects.
Past
"Yeah, That's What She Said" Sunday March 30, 2014 from 7:45-10pm, screening of our PSA & panel discussion. "Yeah, That's What She Said" is an amazing weekend-long arts and education festival with programming by and for self-identified women. There are also public events (including our screening) for people of all gender expressions.
"Yeah, That's What She Said"
March 28-30
Specials on C
195 Ave. C
New York, NY
Melissa Gira Grant's January 2014 essay
The Red Light and the Cloud: A history of the future of sex work
Please help make mobile panic buttons for street-based sex workers a reality! The Keep-Safe system is a hardware device with cellular and GPS technology that would allow sex workers to call help to their location at the push of a button. Right now a pilot program is launching in Vancouver, and the Aphrodite Project will be part of phase 2.
Donate via Rally.org:
https://rally.org/keep-safe
Like them on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Keep-Safe-Mobile-Safety-Device/467325093315094
News clips:
Global Sun
Vancouver Sun blog
The Aphrodite Project has been in the news lately, our GPS shoes have been mentioned on
Discovery News,
FoxNews.com,
MIT’s Technology Review, and others. GTX is going to release GPS shoes in 2012...The Aphrodite Project made them for sex workers in 2006.
download our press release
Sept. 11-Oct. 2, 2010:
"What a girl wants, what a girl needs: The Aphrodite Project"
Gallery Aferro
73 Market St. Newark, NJ
Opening Reception September 11, 2010, 7-10 PM
Purse Hacking Workshop with Johana Moscoso, Maria Jiminez and Norene Leddy, September 25, 1-3 PM
Nov. 5-Dec. 15, 2010: "Exchange Economies"
I.D.E.A. Space
Colorado College
Opening Reception and Artists Talk Friday, November 5, 2010, 4:30 PM
May 7-June 15, 2008: "The Audacity of Desperation"
Urbana- Champaign Independent Media Center
Curated by Jessica Lawless and Sarah Ross
January 31-July 31, 2008: "Sex in Design" exhibition
Museum of Sex, New York City
Curated by Sarah Jacobs and Elizabeth Mariko Murray
February 24, 2008: "Threads" wearable art fashion show
Jersey City Museum
Curated by _gaia
February 11-17, 2008: "Campus Party" exhibition, Bienal de São Paulo, Brazil
December 5-January 6, 2008: "Mobilefest" exhibition, São Paulo, Brazil
December 7, 2007: "Mobilefest" panel at NYU, “Art and Technology”
November 20, 2007: MAKE Magazine (vol. 12) article with DIY Platforms instructions
November 15, 2007: MIX Festival, New York City
October 12-13, 2007: In Her Shoes | In Her Head, part of Project One Stop:
Art Caucasus 2007 International Arts Forum
Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia
September 8-October 6, 2007: In Her Shoes Redux, part of Desiderium
Gallery Aferro, Newark
