COMMUNITY PLEASURE | events

Invisible Ink: An Interactive Art Installation at The Wilma Theater

THE EROTIC PROJECT, aFrom September 13-22, 2024, THE EROTIC PROJECT will present Invisible Ink at The Wilma Theater, an immersive art installation that invites viewers to explore and contribute to a living archive of queer love, loss, life, and community. Conceived and created by Aubrié Costello with collaboration from Pig Iron Theatre’s Dito van Reigersberg, Invisible Ink features contributions from 14 individuals who bravely share their stories of love and vulnerability within Philadelphia’s queer community.

Visitors are encouraged to take their time in this reflective space, contributing their own experiences to the growing narrative and connecting with the stories of others. The installation will be open for the hour preceding each performance of Poor Judge, a dance-theater cabaret by Pig Iron Theater Company featuring the music of Aimee Mann. 

This powerful exhibit is documented by photographer Rosie Simmons and videographer Gabriel Rosario. The installation is free and open to the public, supported by the William Penn Foundation.

INVISIBLE INK opens on September 13th at The Wilma Theater.

Introducing the FEEL Erotic Prompt Card Deck

Created by celebrated local artist Aubrié Costello in collaboration with visionaries Numa Perrier, Raquel Salas Rivera, Dáe Lee, Owlrare, and Arien Wilkerson, the FEEL Erotic Prompt Card Deck offers a profound evolution in how we explore eroticism. This deck is an inclusive and accessible platform designed to help individuals delve into the depths of feeling, healing, and liberation.

Featuring 104 beautifully crafted cards, FEEL provides a rich tapestry of guided erotic prompts and stimulating erotica, encouraging users to break free from societal norms and reimagine their relationship with pleasure. The cards are divided into 52 "SOLO" cards for personal use and 52 "SHARED" cards for partners, categorized under "Mental Health" and "Sexual Health" for a mindful and intentional experience. The deck's inspiration from four-letter words is a nod to Costello's iconic "silk graffiti" fiber artworks.

Join us for the first intimate in-person reveal event on October 10th at Ulises Books in Philadelphia, where you can purchase the FEEL Deck and a special edition FEEL Zine and meet Aubrié. 

Reflecting on the project's mission, Costello shares, "We believe in emotional attunement and consensual relationships. The FEEL deck invites everyone to ask themselves, 'How do I FEEL?' before embarking on a journey of exploration and self-discovery."

The FEEL Erotic Prompt Card Deck is available for purchase now at theeroticproject.com, with additional exciting FEEL components to be released throughout the year.

These two offerings by THE EROTIC PROJECT—FEEL and Invisible Ink—exemplify the project’s commitment to exploring inclusive eroticism and fostering deep emotional connections within the community. Through these initiatives, Aubrié Costello and collaborators continue to challenge conventional norms and provide safe spaces for healing and self-expression.

For more information, please visit theeroticproject.com + pigiron.org and follow on Instagram @xoaubriecostello and @theeroticprojectxo.

THE FEEL REVEAL is October 10th at Ulises Books in Philadelphia.

THE EROTIC PROJECT EXHIBITION

THE EROTIC PROJECT, an ongoing collaborative multimedia art project created in Philadelphia in early 2020 during quarantine inside the bedroom of Philadelphia artist Aubrié Costello, explores inclusive, accessible eroticism as mutual care for our holistic healing, and has grown into a collective of 40+ artists from Philadelphia PA, Los Angeles CA, Portland OR + Mexico City MX.

After 2+ years of deepening their work, growing THE EROTIC PROJECT community, and co-creating content with both care & intention, artist/project creator Aubrié Costello & their robust roster of incredible creative collaborators are ready to showcase the work they’ve made together.

THE EROTIC PROJECT FIRST-EVER EXHIBITION opens on April 14, 2023 at 6PM at Asian Arts Initiative located at 1219 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Gallery Hours are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 2-6PM or by appointment: 215-557-0455. Programming throughout the exhibition is free and open to the public. RSVP appreciated.

THE EROTIC PROJECT exhibition will include a curated gallery space, a Reading Room, and a Viewing Room free and open to the public. The release of the first-ever literary offering from THE EROTIC PROJECT, the beautiful, accessible, & inclusive “SOFT” Erotica Art Book, designed & printed in Philadelphia, will coincide with the opening of the exhibit.

Our creative endeavors have generated a series of offerings for you/the curious to explore at THE EROTIC PROJECT exhibition. Offerings include a selection of our fine artwork & short films, the SOFT Book release, a curated Reading + Viewing Room with resources, visuals, tactile tangibles, & free space to relax. During THE EROTIC PROJECT exhibition, everyone can enjoy our participatory programming events like the SOFT Book Live Readings Session, THE EROTIC PROJECT Participatory Podcast Episode Recording, and THE EROTIC PROJECT Short Film Screening.

We invite you to follow us on Instagram @theeroticprojectxo and visit us here on our COMMUNITY PLEASURE announcement page to participate in intimate programming happening throughout the duration of the exhibit.

We want you to see yourself in THE EROTIC PROJECT and join our community. This exhibition invites all visitors to become participants through opportunities to be seen too.

READ MORE ABOUT THE EXHIBIT HERE.

EXHIBITION PROGRAMMING DETAILS:

THE EROTIC PROJECT EXHIBITION / Participatory Podcast Recording: June 24th 2-6:30PM / Join us on Saturday June 24th 2-6:30PM to be featured in an episode of THE EROTIC PROJECT PODCAST! During this Participatory Podcast Recording event, community members can take part in co-creating a podcast episode in a fun way. Sign up for a 30 minute time slot to be paired with another community member you may or may not have met before. You’ll both enter a recording booth (located inside The Storefront at Asian Arts Initiative) & be given cards handwritten by project creator Aubrié Costello with 2-3 questions to ask each other while being recorded. Question cards will spark a dialogue between participants during the episode. You'll have 10 minutes to connect. These sessions will be edited into an episode of THE EROTIC PROJECT PODCAST. RSVP required as only 20 total people can participate in the recording event. Limited ADA access in booth. Masks required.

THE EROTIC PROJECT EXHIBITION / SOFT Reading + Film Screening Program: July 6th 5-9PM / Join us in The Theater, Asian Arts Initiative’s impressive black box space, on Thursday July 6th from 5-9PM. Writing contributors will read the stimulating written works they've contributed to our SOFT Book LIVE. SOFT is our first independently published + robust erotica Art Book featuring original erotic writings, revealing interviews, sensual poetry, accessible + inclusive erotic prompts, stunning photography + intimate portraits conceptualized by Aubrié Costello + co-created with over 40 Artists from Philadelphia, Los Angeles, + Mexico City. ADA access. Purchase SOFT during the event to have it autographed by contributors. Then we will screen films from THE EROTIC PROJECT as well as additional experimental & erotic films by our collaborators. ADA access. Masks required. RSVP appreciated. Free and open to the public.

THE EROTIC PROJECT exhibition closes on July 8, 2023.

SOFT BOOK REVEAL AT KKCO

THE EROTIC PROJECT’s FIRST-EVER PUBLICATION SOFT will be revealed in LA on June 2, 2023 at 6PM at KkCo located at 990 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. More details coming soon...

EAT YOUR HEART OUT | WET PALETTE

It’s time to get Wet.

Spend your Valentine’s Day (or Anti-Valentine’s Day) 6-9PM with a bestie or lover, make new friends + memories at the first iteration of Wet Palette, Philly’s new fun, laid back, intimate anti-supper club, supper club, brainchild of creative producer Ana Thomas owner + Director of GLDN Brain.

For one-night-only, come together in a relaxed, moody sexy setting inside Martha (Kensington) to enjoy an array of signature cocktails followed by an artful five-course meal including a playful amuse-bouche, various inventive dishes, + lustworthy desserts by local chefs Tevon Tyrell of Hummingbird Island + Andrew Magee of Martha. The delicious + imaginative  menu is fully inspired by the silk graffiti fiber artwork of Aubrié Costello + the sexy yet approachable texture of their ongoing inclusive erotic art endeavor THE EROTIC PROJECT.

A short film featuring Tevon, Aubrié, Andrew, + Ana in revealing candid conversation will screen in between courses. Costello’s art will be on view throughout the space.

This is for the lovers + the heartbroken.

For one night at Martha in Kensington, Philadelphia.

Only 30  tickets available so act fast.

Tickets $130 + include cocktails, conversation, dinner, + dessert.

Tickets are LIVE on Eventbrite.

KINGSLEY IBENECHE + JASMINE CASSELL | UNPLUGGED

THE EROTIC  PROJECT presents our third IRL community event + you’re invited. THE EROTIC PROJECT will host a sexy  intimate evening of original live music from incredible Philly artists Kingsley Ibeneche + Jasmine Cassell inside the  private studio of artist + jewelry designer John Wind + the home of the Dina Wind Art Foundation, which shares the departed artist’s story while supporting + promoting living artists, empowering differences + transforming lives.

From 6-9PM on Thursday February 23, 2023, grab a cocktail +  enjoy an hour long set by Kingsley + Jasmine, shop exclusive gender neutral John Wind jewelry handmade in Philly,  + pre-order THE EROTIC PROJECT’s first independently published SOFT Book Package.

Only 60 tickets available.

All tickets are donation-based to be as accessible as possible. A percentage of all  jewelry + tickets sales from the one-night-only event will support phase 2 of THE EROTIC PROJECT. The historic building has limited ADA access.

Tickets are LIVE on Eventbrite.

The Erotic Shorts Program

We hosted an intimate screening of erotic short films from THE EROTIC PROJECT in Stevens’ Prophecy at W Philadelphia + we reconnected with our community IRL.

Six short films from the project were screened during the 40-minute program.

Films featured THE EROTIC PROJECT contributors: Arien Wilkerson, Lou Badger, Ursula Rucker, Kingsley Ibeneche, Shanina Dionna, Luna Maye, Fatima Adamu, Jess Noel, Leslie Davidson, Raquel Salas Rivera, OwlRare, Dàe Lee, Aubrié Costello, annonxl, Leeyuh Neptune, Josh Hey, Lendl Tellington, Alan Aldana, Esso + more.

The World Premiere of LOVE8: the pain of love without breaking.

For one special night only, be the first to witness the experimental romantic documentary film, dedicated to all the lovers + our exes.

LOVE8: the pain of love without breaking. is the gorgeous, honest, heartbreaking, empowering, + raw culmination of a project two years in the making by multi-hyphenate artist, TNMOT AZTRO co-founder, + THE EROTIC PROJECT Creative Collaborator Arien Wilkerson. Their ongoing body of moving multimedia work which they've been fully committed to, lovingly nurtured, + mindfully developed for over 2 years, follows their most poignant + painful romantic/creative partnership... + subsequent breakup.

LOVE8: the pain of love without breaking. is presented by THE EROTIC PROJECT.

DETAILS:

Doors open at 7PM / Film begins at 8:15PM

Sister spaces broad hall. + foundation. are both nestled in the basement of the historical Divine Lorraine Hotel at 699 N. Broad Street, Phila PA.

At 7PM, enter foundation. to grab a drink + listen to live sounds by THE EROTIC PROJECT composer/music producer Josh Hey. While you're there, witness a site-specific installation consisting of an alluring compilation of vulnerable selfie videos projected onto the wall made by THE EROTIC PROJECT creator Aubrié Costello + featuring an ensemble of participating community members.

Around 8PM, enter the adjacent broad hall. to find a seat + settle in to watch the WORLD PREMIERE of Love8, the haunting experimental art film starring Arien Wilkerson, directed + edited by Arien Wilkerson, + co-directed by Domenic Pellegrini. (film screening begins at 8:15pm, length: 60 minutes)

$10 donation at the door