Skip to main content

October 21, 1992 // Sex written by Madonna, was released.

Sex written by Madonna, with photographs taken by Steven Meisel Studio and film frames shot by Fabien Baron. The book was edited by Glenn O'Brien and was released on October 21, 1992, by Warner Books, Maverick and Callaway Books. 


sex-book-1
The book was edited by Glenn O'Brien and was released on October 21, 1992, by Warner Books, Maverick and Callaway Books. Approached with an idea for a book on erotic photographs, Madonna expanded on the idea and conceived the book and its content. Shot in early 1992 in New York City and Miami, the locations ranged from hotels and burlesque theaters, to the streets of Miami. The photographs were even stolen before publishing, but were quickly recovered.


The book had a range of influences – from punk rock to earlier fashion iconoclasts like Guy Bourdin and his surrealism, and Helmut Newton, in its stylized, sado-masochistic look. Sex has photographs that feature adult content and softcore pornographic as well as simulations of sexual acts, including sadomasochism and analingus. Madonna wrote the book as a character named "Mistress Dita", inspired by 1930s film actress Dita Parlo. It also includes cameos by actress Isabella Rossellini, rappers Big Daddy Kane and Vanilla Ice, model Naomi Campbell, gay porn star Joey Stefano, actor Udo Kier, socialite Tatiana von Fürstenberg, and nightclub owner Ingrid Casares.


The packaging for the book is made of aluminium, which was Madonna's idea, and is spiral bound and enclosed in a Mylar sheet. Due to the scandalous nature of the photographs and the media mayhem surrounding it from the initial preview of the book, Madonna did not have to promote Sex, except for a pre-release party and some television specials. Her publishers were extremely apprehensive about the release as well as its commercial potential. Sex was released alongside her fifth studio album Erotica, which was released a day earlier.
sex-book-4

The extremely controversial book was received negatively by both critics and fans of the singer, who felt she had gone too far. Despite this it was a commercial success, managing to sell over 150,000 copies on its first day of release and topped The New York Times Best Seller list. It has become one of the most sought-after out-of-print books of all time. Throughout the years critical reception towards Sex has become more positive, with academics deeming the book, as well as this particular period of Madonna's life, as one of the most defining phases of her career. Sex is noted for its impact on society, culture as well as on Madonna herself, and is considered a bold, post-feminist, work of art.














Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Madonna's Career From 1983-2020, In Photos

In addition to her professional accomplishments, she is an activist, who has adopted four of her six children from Malawi. Madonna is the "Queen of Pop Music" and she's one of those iconic celebrities who is known by her first name alone. She's an accomplished performer, businesswoman, and mother, with a career that is entering its fifth decade. Her music, old and new, continues to be played all around the world. Known for pushing boundaries in terms of expression and sexuality, Madonna remains a relevant household name. She’s showing no signs of slowing down and is currently in the middle of her 14 th  tour, for her album,  Madame X . Her tour dates will continue well into 2020, at venues in London and Paris. In 2006, Madonna formed a not-for-profit, charitable organization with Michael Berg, to help combat the poverty and hardship experienced by the million orphans in Malawi. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she is an activist, who has ad...

September 24 1992, Madonna baring her breasts and blowing kisses, At The Jean-Paul Gaultier fashion show.

September 24 1992,   Madonna baring her breasts and blowing kisses, Billy Idol in double leather... we explore the fashion show that raised $700,000 for AIDS research Jean Paul Gaultier  is renowned for many things – his exceptional tailoring, his conical bras, his impassioned approach to sociopolitcal causes in fashion – and, on September 2, 1992, all of these elements united for a show that definitely mattered. In honour of  amFAR  (The American Foundation for AIDS Research), Gaultier held a fashion benefit whose runway included everything from lip-synching to Dr Ruth dressed in rubber to raise money for a cause that devastated (and continues to devastate) communities around the world. "Tonight will be about protection... wear rubber and protect yourself!" – Jean Paul Gaultier "Tonight will be about protection... wear rubber and protect yourself!" explained Gaultier before the show. "I think fashion can make people thin...

Hackers begin to leak A-list celebrities' private emails and threaten more unless paid

Entertainment law firm which has host of high-profile clients, including Robert De Niro, Elton John and Madonna, was compromised last week A screenshot of the material released by the hackers Cyber hackers have begun publishing what they claim to be the private correspondence of A-list celebrities and are threatening to release more unless they get paid. The entertainment law firm Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks, which has a host of high-profile clients, including Rod Stewart, Robert De Niro, Elton John and Madonna, was compromised last week in a sophisticated attack.   The hackers released a screenshot excerpt from Madonna’s recent Madame X tour on the dark web to prove they had infiltrated the law firm’s network. It appeared to show signatures from an employee and the concert company Live Nation. Read More:  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/05/12/hackers-begin-leak-a-list-celebrities-private-emails-threaten/ ...