French photographer François Prost hit the road in 2019 for a five-week trek across the U.S.,zeroing in on strip clubs. His book,Gentlemen’s Club,chronicles this 6,000-mile trip from Miami to Los Angeles. He shot the vibrant facades,never stepping inside or photographing performers.
Prost isn’t drawn to the shows. It's the architecture and cultural backdrop he’s after. He splits strip clubs into two: those blending into public spaces, near amusement parks and fast food joints; and those hidden, indistinguishable from regular stores. In the Bible Belt,the clash between strip club prevalence and conservative values caught his eye .
“I’d divide these venues into two types,” he said in an interview. He noted the tension in Bible Belt,where clubs clash with local conservatism. His project documents how sex,gender,and commerce intersect in America.
Prost's interest started with French nightclubs. He noticed American clubs stand out with bright colors,unlike Europe’s muted style . “Take Las Vegas,where clubs are as flashy as fast food or casino signs,” he observed.
On his journey, Prost asked club owners for photo permission, avoiding suspicion. Most were open,some even excited. Reactions ranged from apathy to eagerness as managers handed him business cards,keen to see results.
One thing Prost found: strip clubs are normalized in the U.S . Often just casual outings for friends or couples — a stark contrast to Europe. In Las Vegas,many double as restaurants,offering happy hours and buffets,cementing their place in local life.
Then there’s the humor on club signs. Jokes like “My sex life is like the Sahara,2 palms,no dates,” add surreal comedy, clashing with serious themes of objectification. Prost captures dancers' silhouettes and “girls girls girls” signs, sparking reflection on these images' meanings.
Prost’s work wraps up with an exhibition in Tokyo from March 17 to April 15,2023, where he’ll dig deeper into sex and commerce themes. Next, he plans to explore Japan’s love hotels,akin to U.S. strip clubs in cultural role. He suggests strip clubs reveal much about American values, where business success often overshadows the nature of what’s being sold…
“As long as you’re successful in terms of business, it doesn’t matter if your activity deals with sex,” he concluded, summing up the tangled web of commerce and sexuality in U.S. culture .
