“The Siren” for SUPER FUNLAND at The Museum of Sex

Project Description

ARCH conceived, designed, crafted and produced the original sound recording associated with “The Siren,” an interactive vending machine based on the old Victorian, slightly subversive, coin-operated penny arcade machines of the turn of the century. True to form and the craftsmanship of the antique amusement machines of the period, an ornately appointed, hand-painted wooden cabinet stands tall on gilded legs to house a large looming central character with whom players interact. 

The Siren character is a beautiful maiden mermaid who audibly beckons sailors to give her a whirl and take a chance at bringing her to song. Players are invited to reach deep inside her to arouse her sweet song. As the spinning action brings her to climax, her secret love elixir is released in a small vial. 

The Museum of Sex explores the sexual origins of the carnival in a combination history and group-art exhibition, SUPER FUNLAND: Journey into the Erotic Carnival. The history gallery takes visitors from the carnival’s ancient bacchanalian origins to its evolution in pre-industrial Europe and the “midway” of the 20th century’s great World’s Fairs, describing how its licentious and permissive subtext has remained intact. The group art show tells this story in thirteen one-of-a-kind commissioned amusements created by an internationally renowned team of artists and designers, bringing themes of sexual carnality, decadence, and joy to a contemporary audience.

—explore the ARCH portfolio created for SUPERFUNLAND at The Museum of Sex—