The Healing Pleasure Garden
Urban Commons and Wellness
Supervisor - Dr. Zdravko Trivic
The thesis is rooted in subverting the existing repression of women's autonomy in the gender-biased environment of the DRA in Geylang, Singapore. Informally legalized brothels in the context of Singapore and its performativity of sex workers have repeatedly oppressed the autonomy of sex workers, where its modus operandi subjects them to control & policing of the body, the male gaze and the condition of "blurred" workspace and temporary domesticities. Accumulating power and giving rise to male dominance in an industry subscribed to heteronormative patriarchal powers, the current model continues to perpetuate the systemic intersectionality of oppression and discrimination against sex workers.
The design exploration focuses on deconstructing the existing routine of sex work from the brothel terrace houses into reinventing fragmented rituals and spaces of respite outside the routine of sex work. From thereon, the notion of the performativity of sex workers can be re-written to reinforce autonomy (space & control).
The Healing Pleasure Garden features the formal containment of sex work amidst a wellness and adult entertainment commercial loop within the existing terrace houses, ready for the open-minded to explore. The existing routine of sex work in brothel houses is deconstructed into fragmented rituals surrounded by spaces of respite. Here, the safety and autonomy of sex workers are a priority. Sex workers are able to divert the male gaze, staying concealed while maintaining surveillance over soliciting grounds. All genders are welcome to heal, rejuvenate, cleanse, relax and seek pleasure in the public-private hybrid space.
Links & Contact:
Email - joancwy@gmail.com
Tags: #genderandspace #genderbiasedenvironment #thewomanandthecity #sexwork #redlightdistrict #wellness #healing #baths #femalegaze #surveillance #autonomy #geylang