Erotic museum to close

You may recall the Clarion Content warned not long ago of financial turbulence hitting the porn industry. Here is another indicator of the tough times. After a failed eleventh hour search for potential investors, the Museum Erotica in Copenhagen faces bankruptcy.

The City Council's cultural committee has denied a request for fiscal support and the museum may be forced to sell off its extensive collection of erotica.

Hanne Stensgaard, the museum's C.E.O. told the The Copenhagen Post, "We've been hopeful [of securing investors] for a long time and miracles can happen, but if we don't get the funding within a week, we will have to close." Stensgaard estimates the museum is 2 to 3 million kroner short on the expenses of a current rebuilding project.

The museum houses better than 1,500 artifacts and pictures depicting erotica through the ages. Among some of dedicated exhibitions are those detailing the history of Playboy magazine as well as Marilyn Monroe, among others.

Many celebrations had been planned for this season as it will mark the 15th anniversary since the museum opened on Købmagergade Street in central Copenhagen. 2008 also marks the 40th anniversary of the legalization of pornography in Denmark.

"We think it's very important that people know about sexual and erotic history as it defines many gender roles today," said Stensgaard.

Ahhh, but what an opportunity for other collectors of erotica to buy during a limp market.