Sex work has been legal in Switzerland for over 80 years – and yet remains as controversial as ever. Between stigmatization, legal regulation and empowerment, sex work brings out some key social problem areas: from power, sexuality and gender issues to migration, racism, poverty and social inequality. 

The video installation consists of eleven interviews showing how sex work has evolved in Switzerland and providing insights into a broad range of work-related and everyday realities faced by sex workers in the country. These interviews reveal the diversity within this working group while at the same time shedding light on such aspects as violence and exploitation. An in-depth media station shows historical developments, legal frameworks and public debates.

The video installation was created in collaboration with the Sexworkers Collective.

About the format

Sometimes objects fail to tell the full story behind formative developments in Switzerland’s recent past. The ‘Experiences of Switzerland’ format focuses on contemporary witnesses. Their fates and experiences, which in most cases are not found in any archives or records, provide visitors with a multifaceted insight into Swiss contemporary history. Featuring a different topic every year, the format does away with exhibits and consists of a large-scale, immersive projection with sound delivered through headphones. Meanwhile, an exploration station features information on the latest research findings in the area and places the topic in its cultural-historical context.