2013 Maritiem Museum Rotterdam, The Netherlands
2016 Maritime Museum Helsingor, Denmark.
2018 Kotka Maritime Museum, Finland.
2019 Seaplane Harbour – Meremuuseum, Estonia.
2019 (Message in a Bottle) Estonian Maritime Museum.
In the exhibition Sex & The Sea, Saskia Boddeke created an experience for visitors. Visitors are encouraged to feel the same emotions of homesickness and sexual desire as seamen are faced with when they are at sea for months on end and staying in unfamiliar ports. Far away from their homes, other norms and values can sometimes hold sway. Will the passing sailor allow himself to be tempted in these exotic locations? Does he have a different girl in every port? Does the lonely sailor write home every day? Or may a young hothead see the shape of a mermaid when a manatee appears? Boddeke has translated this into an artistic film project comprising images of maritime erotic artworks, pin-ups, mermaids, postcards, photographs and unique quotes from seamen about lust. This film project is complemented by additional objects such as a real mermaid, tattoos and sperm whale teeth, with erotic maritime shows, voluptuous ships’ decorations and model ships with poetic names such as The Mermaid. The installation creates an immersive experience.
