Encouraging Banners (for orgasm)
The Encouraging Banners are made of metallic cardboard party banners but instead of spelling out h-a-p-p-y--b-i-r-t-h-d-a-y they spell out phrases like s-l-o-w--d-o-w-n or r-u-b--t-h-e--c-l-i-t--i-n--a--c-i-r-c-u-l-a-r--m-o-t-i-o-n. The installation is subtly ostentatious because it uses a material that is traditionally employed to congratulate or to celebrate a birthday, but here unexpectedly speaks overtly about female sexuality. The non-conventional medium speaks the same language of the conversations the vulva is being left out of, a language that is accessible, relatable, and celebratory. The banners open up a dialogue where there might not be one otherwise.
The public conversation surrounding the female sexuality is convoluted with misinformation that contributes to a lack of understanding of the female body. Not only have womyn’s bodies been overtly sexualized throughout history, womyn have also been repeatedly told their gender does not enjoy sex as much as men. This work addresses the power structures built by the heteropatriarchy, the banners are intended to be inclusive of anyone with a vulva, clitoris, or whom regards their body with this language, the word female references the oppression that womyn have endured. This installation is addressing orgasms as a metaphor for womyn’s happiness in general by acting as a call to action for people with vulvas to reclaim their bodies and have control over their pleasure.
The Encouraging Banners are made of metallic cardboard party banners but instead of spelling out h-a-p-p-y--b-i-r-t-h-d-a-y they spell out phrases like s-l-o-w--d-o-w-n or r-u-b--t-h-e--c-l-i-t--i-n--a--c-i-r-c-u-l-a-r--m-o-t-i-o-n. The installation is subtly ostentatious because it uses a material that is traditionally employed to congratulate or to celebrate a birthday, but here unexpectedly speaks overtly about female sexuality. The non-conventional medium speaks the same language of the conversations the vulva is being left out of, a language that is accessible, relatable, and celebratory. The banners open up a dialogue where there might not be one otherwise.
The public conversation surrounding the female sexuality is convoluted with misinformation that contributes to a lack of understanding of the female body. Not only have womyn’s bodies been overtly sexualized throughout history, womyn have also been repeatedly told their gender does not enjoy sex as much as men. This work addresses the power structures built by the heteropatriarchy, the banners are intended to be inclusive of anyone with a vulva, clitoris, or whom regards their body with this language, the word female references the oppression that womyn have endured. This installation is addressing orgasms as a metaphor for womyn’s happiness in general by acting as a call to action for people with vulvas to reclaim their bodies and have control over their pleasure.