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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.
Experiences of Switzerland – Sex work
Sex work has been legal in Switzerland for over 80 years – and yet public attitudes towards it remain polarised. Between stigmatisation, legal regulation and the right to self-determination, sex work highlights key areas of tension in society: from questions of privilege, power, sexuality and gender to issues surrounding migration, racism, poverty and social inequality.
This is the theme of the new edition of ‘Experiences of Switzerland’. The video installation centres on 11 contemporary witnesses talking about their experiences of sex work. Their personal stories provide a rare glimpse into lived realities that often remain behind closed doors. The interviews highlight the very different routes into sex work and the extent to which individual circumstances shape these experiences.
The people portrayed talk of financial hardship, migration, family obligations and the desire for agency over their own lives. Some ended up in sex work due to financial pressures, while others appreciate the flexibility it affords them and the opportunity to lead a self-determined working life. At the same time, these contemporary witnesses speak about stigma, violence and discrimination, but also about solidarity, autonomy and professional pride.
To complement the video installation, an interactive media station explains historical developments, legal frameworks and social debates around sex work. Its history is closely linked to ideas of morality: from ‘prostitute registers’ held by the police in the 1950s and feminist debates of the 1970s to today’s discussions about human trafficking, workers’ rights and a potential ban on the purchase of sexual services.
The ‘Experiences of Switzerland’ format intentionally foregoes traditional museum objects, focusing instead on voices, memories and personal experiences. The large-format projection with headphones allows visitors to engage with the testimonies in an immersive and immediate way. This edition of ‘Experiences of Switzerland’ was designed and realised as a participatory process in collaboration with the Sexworkers Collective.
The video installation will be on display at the National Museum Zurich from 3 July to 1 November 2026 and from 12 January to 25 April 2027.
Images
National Museum Zurich press contact
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Overall management Denise Tonella
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Project direction and curator Marina Amstad
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Idea and Concept Marina Amstad, Sexworkers Collective
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Scientific advisors Sexworkers Collective
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Curatorial Support Luca Tori
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Scientific collaboration Thomas Bochet
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Scenography Alex Harb
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Interviews Sexworkers Collective
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Projection Maurizio Drei, Michele Innocente
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Voice-over Tweaklab AG: Lambert Bastar (FR), Lotti Happle (DE), Andrea Samborsky (EN), Christina Zamboni (IT)
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Advisory committee Roman Aebersold, Günhan Akarçay, Heidi Amrein, Beat Högger, Sabrina Médioni, Denise Tonella
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Controlling of project Sabrina Médioni
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Technical management Mike Zaugg
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Exhibition construction Ira Allemann, Sophie Lühr, Marc Hägeli, Dave Schwitter, Philippe Leuthardt
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IT | Web | Media stations Thomas Bucher, Danilo Rüttimann, Alex Baur, Thomas Bucher, Ueli Heiniger; Immensive SA
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Marketing and Communication Andrej Abplanalp, Anna-Britta Maag, Sebastiano Mereu, Carole Neuenschwander, Alexander Rechsteiner
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Advertising graphic Resort GmbH für Visuelle Kommunikation
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Translations Coline Thomas; Interserv AG; Natalia Proserpi
We thank the eyewitnesses for their precious participation.