The surreal facades of America's strip clubs

Summary

French photographer François Prost’s book, “Gentlemen’s Club,” documents the exterior facades of nearly 150 American strip clubs. During a five-week, more than 6,000-mile road trip in 2019, Prost traveled from Miami to Los Angeles, photographing venues in cities and regions including Las Vegas, Florida, the Bible Belt, and the desert Southwest. He focused on buildings, signs, colors, silhouettes, and advertising rather than interiors, dancers, or customers. Prost said he sought permission when possible and reported that roughly 99% of venues agreed to facade photographs. The project presents strip clubs as part of the commercial and visual landscape of American life, ranging from highly visible establishments near malls, restaurants, and amusement parks to more discreet venues in strip malls. Prost described the apparent coexistence of strip clubs with religious conservatism as a notable cultural contrast. He also argued that American clubs appeared more normalized than their European counterparts, citing examples involving restaurants, happy hours, buffets, and discounts. The photographs explore sexuality, gender, commerce, and the marketing of women through jokes, food-related names, female silhouettes, and slogans. The article says the work was exhibited in Tokyo from March 17 to April 15, 2023, and that Prost planned a subsequent project on Japanese love hotels.