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Red Light District at National Gallery

Red Light District at National Gallery

When
18 November 2009 -
21 February 2010

10am - 6pm, until 9pm Fri

Where
National Gallery, The

Nearest Tube
Charing Cross
Leicester Square

Cost
Free

Age Restrictions
n/a

An installation of the Amsterdam red light district at National Gallery by Ed and Nancy Keinholz is open until 21st February 2010, and invites Londoners to take a wander down its replicated streets.

A National Gallery first
The red light district at National Gallery is the first installation of its kind at the venue, and is also one of the most significant pieces of art made by the Keinholz's before Ed's death in 1994. By allowing the viewer to actually step into and around the artwork, the installation addresses the theme of prostitution in a very direct and disquieting way.

Kienholz: The Hoerengracht
The installation was fashioned after the Herengracht, the Gentlemen's Canal, in Amsterdam, which is one of the most famous red light districts in Europe. However, the red light district at National Gallery is called The Hoerengracht, which means "Whore's Canal", implying the shift in ownership is taken from the client and back to the seller.

Recurring themes
Ed Keinholz addressed the theme of prostitution many times in his artwork, and his first environmental sculpture was named after a brothel in Nevada. The art involved in the red light district at National Gallery continues to look at the nature of sordid sex and the selling of women's bodies, which is a common theme throughout many of the gallery's pieces, but here the location is transposed to a sleazy 80s street scene. Accompanying the installation, a selection of 17th century Dutch paintings are displayed that create a historial perspective on the nature of prostitution.

Visit the red light district
Visitors to the installation of the red light district at National Gallery are invited to walk down the streets, re-enacting the behaviour of a typical client. The prostitutes stand in their windows or sprawl on the stairways, confronting the viewer with hardened stares. Many of the women have perspex boxes on their breasts and metal frames around their faces, highlighting the segregated parts of themselves that are for sale. The main question prompted by The Hoerengracht is whether the women, or the clients are in charge.

Keinholz, The Hoeregracht red light district at National Gallery is on show from 10am - 6pm, from Wednesday 18th November 2009 - Sunday 21st February 2010. Entrance to the installation is free.

Please be aware that this installation contains adult themes and may not be suitable for young children. Parental discretion is advised.

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