Soho Window
Maker: The Keeper (1989-present day)
Mixed media installation, 2015
Wood, glass, Perspex 204cm x 132cm
Museum no: I. 17
This piece of assemblage is the only object in the Museum's collection made by the current Keeper, Deborah Sim (1989 - present-day). Created from discarded materials found during the dismantlement of Soho's underground clubs to make way for gentrification.
The Illuminations in the title links Soho to the northern lightscape of Blackpool, who's nightlife economy also relies on the thrill of neon's electric sunshine and cheeky sexual innuendo. The brightly coloured wood is evocative of a fairground, coupled with the abandoned SEX neon, signposts its' deviant past, reminding the viewer of the multi-sensory merry-go-round experience sexualised de-sanitised Soho once was.
Soho is historically associated with lewd behaviour. Its narrow clandestine alleyways have served as a place of sexual encounter for centuries. The introduction of the 1959 Street Act moved much of the sexual activity of the streets and into the clubs. Neon signs were introduced to Soho as a way of advertising these establishments. Such places as sex shops, strip joints, late-night drinking clubs, burlesque venues, and gay bars. Many of these vibrant places that form its cultural heritage are disappearing; the Keeper made this piece in response to vanishing, visceral Soho.
Soho
Every porous brick that made up Old Compton Street sweated amyl nitrate.
Volts of excited neon trembled in the atmosphere. Bright city, big lights.
On the lips of every curb, was the call “what’s going to happen tonight?”
Clandestine clubs, surreptitious fucks down dark abdominal alleyways.
Visceral crude X-rated. Sexy busty friendly Modely 1st floor.
Badly-written hand jobs on cheerful coloured paper.
Haunted by its illicit past
Flashes of sideways memory returns. Shoddily over painted bannisters, dirty walls and oh, of course, “that Green”!
Piss Alley. Pink champagne. Pink Pounding. Filthy bogs. Black bondage scarecrow dummies.
Like a mammal in decline, not wanted for itself but its luxury ivory towers, in the heart of Soho, like a dagger.
