Los Angeles- Well, despite the fact that porn and erotica are the number-one drivers of online commerce and community, the bricks-and-mortar version of the Erotic Museum in Hollywood announced that they’re closing.

Despite a really highbrow (rather than smutty) interest in sexuality, and smart exhibits on web romance, “Hollywood Sex Gods” and the Kama Sutra, the 2-year-old showplace just couldn’t make a go of it in the face of dwindling walk-in business, CEO Boris Smorodinsky reports … So they’re closing Sunday, and everything’s for sale, though the museum store will stay in business. Let’s hope they keep the Human Body Project going, too (some images NSFW). It’s a wonderfully humanizing deflation of the reality-distorting culture of body image that keeps so many in this town loathing what nature gave ’em.

Here’s more from the press release:

The Erotic Museum’s goal was to make people think of erotica and sexuality in a different way, to deal honestly and openly with eroticism in hopes of realizing the positive potential of human sexuality. During its two-year run, the Museum hosted major name artists such as Andres Serrano Tom of Finland, Mel Roberts and others, packed exhibition openings, and offered a number of special events. Hugh Hefner was the first inductee to the Erotic Hall of Fame in a ceremony emceed by Bill Maher at the museum. And while special events often saw substantial crowds, daily attendance did not meet expectations.

“Sex is everywhere these days, on the Internet, on TV, in the movies,” comments Museum owner Mark Volper. “One thing we found in time, was that there is a change in the way people are consuming sex as a product these days. That combined with the recent natural disasters, the war, a drop in tourism, it’s been a tough time for a controversial entertainment institution.”

“It’s a troubled time in LA County for the museum business in general.” noted curator Eric Singley. “With leadership questions at some of the major museums in town and flagging attendance at nearly all museums, we’re all in a state of limbo. We understand the other museums dedicated to sexuality in the United States have not been meeting their expectations either.”

Museum CEO Boris Smorodinsky comments, “The entire Boulevard is on the upturn. There are developments all around the area. We still feel the Museum is a golden opportunity for the right people to come in and make a go of it.”

The Museum is still courting potential new owners, mostly in the erotica-related industry, from adult film producers and stars to educational institutions such as the Kinsey Institute. “It’s a unique product.” Volper explains. “We’ve done the hard work by building this amazing facility. It just needs the right expertise to take it to the last mile.”

Boris Smorodinsky says, “We had hoped to educate, entertain, and inspire. For two years, our venue was a vehicle for many progressive artists to showcase their talent, and we regret that due to circumstances beyond our control we have to close our doors. We also would like to thank all Museum members, sponsors, the Human Body Project participants and all other supporters from the bottom of our hearts for their continued patronage and belief in our product.”