Scotland's cultural body to review €100k public funding for 'hardcore' sex art project

Creative Scotland claims the project is notably more explicit than what was originally outlined in the application.
Creative Scotland claims the project is notably more explicit than what was originally outlined in the application. Copyright Credit: Canva Images
Copyright Credit: Canva Images
By Theo Farrant
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The project promises a 45-minute, multi-screen installation with sexually charged visuals, including a "secret cave sex party".

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Scotland's cultural development body is reassessing its decision to allocate nearly €100,000 (£85,000) of taxpayer funds for an arts initiative featuring explicit, "hardcore" sex performances.

The project titled "Rein", directed by Leonie Rae Gasson, is described as "fantastical 45 minute, multi-screen, moving image installation". It offers participants €320 (£270) per day for engaging in "non-simulated" sex, including "hardcore" acts. 

The casting call specifies that actors must be over 18, with a preference for those with previous sex work experience, particularly in "porn contexts."

Audiences are invited on the project's website to "come see the daddies lurking in the woods," followed by a climax involving a secret cave sex party. Various sexually charged visuals are also described as "exploding onto the screens" during the event.

Following public outcry and criticism, Creative Scotland has said in a statement that it is reassessing the funding due to the project being “considerably more explicit than was indicated in the application”.

A close up shot of a neon sign that says sex
A close up shot of a neon sign that says sexCredit: Canva Images

Gasson, the “multi-reality director” behind the endeavour, previously received €27,190 (£23,219) in lottery funding in August 2022 to support the "research and development" phase of the "Rein" project.

With the financial backing she created a nine-minute teaser film featuring three characters “riotously hump, languidly lick, and shake their manes”. 

Following this, Creative Scotland granted an additional €100k (£84,555) in lottery funds in January of this year to further develop the project. 

The project is currently scheduled for its premiere in August 2025.

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