The Damjanich János Museum in Szolnok ventured on a new kind of enterprise when it arranged the exhibition entitled Erotics in the popular culture.

Erotics is one of the most organizing element of human life, yet it was given little publicity, which might be put down to its delicate character. However, worked influenced by this subject are flooding both the popular culture and the objective environment.

Items of everyday use, such as boxes made from bones, horn or wood, razor cases, irons and mirrors were often ornamented by erotic pictures. In the showcases we can also see expressively sexual symbols or naturalistic representations. Just to mention a few we can see Easter water holder formed into the shape of manliness, or a milk jug shaped into women’s breasts. This latter item is of foreign origin, thus proving the international character of the subject.

The exhibition goes back to the first known stone age expressions and spans through the ages up to our day. Visitors can see a number of exhibitory items that were not made by someone for some personal purposes, but rather, in series thus satisfying public demands. Here we can find utensils, keyholders and wine sampling tube ornamented by erotic figures.

The core of the exhibition is made up by university teacher dr. Zoltán Ujváry. The exhibition also represents items deriving from local museums and private collectors. Many visitors, groups and school classes visited the exhibition. According to the guest-book those paying a visit understood the purpose of the arrangers. The media first reacted in an uncertain way, but even after the exhibition opening a significant interest was shown from their side.