On a chilly Friday evening, a cold wind sweeps through the streets of Barcelona, but the temperature will rise soon. We arrive at what appears to be the backdoor of a former industrial building painted in black. We received the address 24 hours before our appointment. Come in! A gentleman greets us, handing out black masks.
Other guests, mainly couples and pairs of friends, are already sipping glasses of cava. The masks assure anonymity, but they are not mandatory. Our first stop is a room encircled by mirrors, which slightly disorients the guests and piques their curiosity about what lies ahead. I recall writing about Erika Lust for the first time in I asked Lust what she would do if given the chance to create a project that could sexualize the city in her way, benefiting both women and men.
To my surprise, she revealed they were already working on something for the streets of Barcelona. On a large screen, we watch short films that Lust has created, transforming intimate confessions submitted by her audience into cinematic experiences that bring their fantasies to life.
In her first film, Barcelona Sex Project, she opted to feature ordinary residents rather than actors, presenting real pleasure stories that challenge the narratives found in typical online pornography.
Here, the virtual journey begins. We all know that sex is a highly sensitive topic, but Lust managed to engage women and men with respect. She uses content and visuals that have been carefully curated to reflect a wide range of experiences, ensuring that each guest finds a safe and engaging space to explore their desires.
