Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has called for an urgent meeting with Creative Scotland regarding the £110,000 funding given to the Rein arts project. Robertson expressed deep concern after it became known that the project, which was axed by Creative Scotland in March, had involved a real sex scene with genital contact. Creative Scotland had not known that real sex would be part of the project, but documents obtained by BBC Scotland News showed that Rein’s application had acknowledged the fact. Director Leonie Rae Gasson had received funding from the lottery-funded arts body and was asked to return £76,196.
The Rein funding application was initially successful in January 2023 and was supported as a “challenging, creatively ambitious piece of experimental performance art”. The project was to involve “pornographic processes” and show non-simulated sex in the Scottish Highlands. Locations for filming were scheduled for Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Camden in London. The performers would have been paid for filming, rehearsals, and training with a “kink and BDSM educator”. The show was initially due to showcase at Take Me Somewhere Festival in Glasgow in 2025.
Supporting the project were Creative Scotland-funded arts and education charities Take Me Somewhere and The Work Room which offered “in kind and financial support”. Strange Field, a contemporary arts gallery, which provided the studio for filming in French Street, Glasgow also provided a letter of support. Rachel Grant, BBC Scotland News, reported that the Women’s rights group For Women Scotland had criticized the proposed project. The group claimed the project dehumanized women and promoted “unhealthy and dangerous” relationships.
Robertson has requested an urgent meeting with Creative Scotland’s leadership to discuss how to restore confidence in the arts organization. Creative Scotland defended the funding decision and claimed to have advertised for casting calls for dancers and sex workers, including those with disabilities, to take part in the show involving “non-simulated sex”. The page was removed after the criticism. Ms. Gasson, who was employed by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland until April, has declined to speak to BBC Scotland
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More