Film still, source: Planete+ Doc Film Festival
This is exactly what Piotr Kopik tries to investigate with his film Avatars as prostitutes. What he focuses on is the sexual relationships between members of online communities, specifically the Second Life® "online virtual world."
To the initiated, the software allows users to live a life parallel to their own on the internet. It lets them develop relationships, travel to different countries, shop, eat … and in some cases visit prostitutes.
Kopik recorded his sexual experiences with many prostitutes and tried to get to get to know them as well. After analysing his film stock, he decided to consult with authorities and experts from different disciplines, including art, religion and science. He asked them: How are sexual needs and identity changing because of technological developments? Is virtual prostitution somehow real? Is virtual prostitution more acceptable because it is conducted over the internet?
One expert interviewed, Lew Starowicz, says that whenever a new technology is introduced, pornographers are among the first to implement it.
"Many people imitate roles in their own lives," the director told Stopklatka.pl. They cannot have several things in real life, but [have them] in their digital lives. They own villas, big cars and look amazing. When I arrived into this world, I wanted to change this, and do my own thing. While my everyday activities as an artist involved working with the body, I decided to challenge this status quo in some way.
And after some time, following my experiments, I realised I had never had sex [on Second Life]. I therefore decided to visit a prostitute. One thing led to another and another, until I discovered that this industry is so developed – prostitution which imitates real life – that it was growing exponentially, since there was a demand and definitely a supply.
Avatars as prostitutes had its world premiere at the Planete+ Doc Film Festival in Warsaw on the 14th of May.
Avatars as prostitutes. Poland, 2012, 51 min. Directed by: Piotr Kopik; camera by: Rafał Żwirek, cinematography by: Krzysztof Gajewski, music by: Audio Network Plc, edited by: Piotr Kopik; production by: Marta Rybicka and Dariusz Zawiślak.
Author: Roberto Galea
Thumbnail credit: Planete+ Doc Film Festival