Curated by Content Warning — the collaborative project of Helena Whittingham and Harlan Whittingham —  a duo working at the intersection of art, fetish history and contemporary sexuality.

Working with the UK Fetish Archive, the project treats the archive as a living thing — an organism that moves, moans, and mutates. Across the building, archival material will be reactivated through exhibition, screenings, talks, performances and readings.

Programme: 

Performances — Great Hall 

• Harry Clayton-Wright —  will reinterpret material from their extensive archive to see how porn has influenced their artistic practice, followed by a screening of Deep Clean (2019)
• Operotica — will perform their boundary-pushing opera-meets-kink performance.

• Failsafefailed — will perform a live audiovisual score accompanying digitised 8mm fetish films from the Under the Counter Archive. Failsafefailed is an audiovisual and performance artist, and one half of Four Chambers. 

   

Exhibition Space — Upper Hall 

TRANSFORMATION 

An exhibition exploring the transformative potential of kink and fetish culture. 

TRANSFORMATION brings together material from the UK Fetish Archive alongside contemporary fetish makers, Wrapped in Rubber and Soft Skin Latex, with live modelling throughout the evening by: Jenkin Van Zyl, Electric Adam and Miss May

Expect pony play, forced feminisation, sensory deprivation, and one of the oldest surviving fursuits in the UK. 

Talks — Courtyard Room 

• Dr Charlie Goldthorpe discusses Revisiting Rubber: Reconstructing Atomage. A project that explores the legacy of Atomage, the pioneering fetish fashion magazine founded by John Sutcliffe.
• Professor Oliver Carter will offer insights into the mysterious makers of these illicit films, screening two films from the Under the Counter Archive in their original 8mm format.

• Mistress Sidonia in conversation with Bishopgate’s archive manager, Stefan Dickers, discussing English Mansion and Mistress Sidonia's extensive history in the scene.

   

Readings — Library 

Live readings from: 

• Miss Marilyn reads from Rotten Apple: Volume One – Shagger, her memoir of life as a Dominatrix and sex worker.
• Scotty Unfamous reads monster erotica.
• Ruby Rare reads from a range of historic sex manuals.

• Jessica Key reads firsthand her encounters in a porn cinema, and more. 

   

Secret Screening — Goss Room 

It wouldn’t be a content warning event without a screening— a chance to see one of our favourites from the archive, a rare full-length film, revealed on the night. 

Corridors, Bars & Interstitial Spaces 

• 8mm Roller Film Cover Exhibition A corridor exhibition of the incredible 8mm roller film covers from the Under the Counter Archive- offering a glimpse into Britain’s illicit adult film trade.
• Bars and music run throughout the evening across the building.
• Archival fetish ephemera- zines, magazines, slides, and printed matter will be on display throughout the library spaces for your viewing pleasure.

Practical information

• If you claim a concessionary rate, you may be asked for proof of eligibility (e.g. student card, or proof of age). Find out more about our concessionary rates.
• If you have any accessibility needs or concerns, please email enquiries@bishopsgate.org.uk.
• Our events and courses are designed for over-18s only. Our special collections and archives, which feature heavily in our programme, include explicit content and our evening events are aimed at an adult audience, with a licensed bar in operation. Individuals suspected of being under 18 will be asked to provide valid ID at entry.

*Pay-it-forward tickets

With the rising cost of living impacting everything from energy and heating costs to the price of food we recognise this event may be out of reach for many people. We want to ensure that all members of our community are able to access this event. For this reason, we have set up a pay-it-forward ticket system. By purchasing a pay-it-forward ticket, you help us make free tickets available to members of our community who would otherwise be restricted from attending due to financial reasons.

For this event, there is a limited number of supported tickets available free of charge for people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend to enjoy the show. These are issued on a first come first served basis.

If you are experiencing financial challenges and would like a ticket to this event please select a Supported ticket at point of purchasing.