DEPT. OF ARCHITECTURE
UNIVERSITY OF THESSALY

This paper presents and comments upon the significance of the sidewalk as the locus in which the human body is subject to negotiation as a commodity. Transvestites became the main focus of the study. The sidewalk is approached in terms of a shopping-window exhibiting human bodies instead of merchandises. Dressed up and embellished "females" show themselves off while standing and waiting for their clientele on the sidewalk. The standing and waiting of the 'females" presents a sharp contrast with the movement of the male clientele. This contrast finds parallels with the typical binary pair of female passivity versus male activeness. The transaction takes place in urban space. While it exposes itself to the broad public, at the same time, it remains hidden behind the anonymity of the crowd and the darkness of the night. This kind of sexuality is situated within urban space. The limits of sexuality coincide with the limits of public space. The related documentation of the project included video- recording in various sites of Athens and interviews with prostitutes.

     Students:
    Antoniadou I.
    Demertzi A.
    Vourvoutsioti Y.

     Course:
    GENDER AND SPACE

    2003/2004