Vagina wall

[Everincreasingirth]

Hello. Not posted in this section before but have prompted to do so after starting a thread in Aibu titled ' is vagina wall good for girls to see' . Started it off as I was upset by a reaction my sil had to some comments made by me about the sculpture but then started to question more how it is that we are ashamed of how we look and just wondered more how this sculpture was viewed in the feminist section. For what it is worth I think the fact it has made me question some stuff is good but really would be interested to see what other people think. Sorry if that's all a bit of a muddle

[HairyHandedTrucker]

It seemed liek a good idea to me and your SIL has some unfortunate issues.
My only tiny little feeling is that the artist is a male.

[HairyHandedTrucker]

www.saatchionline.com/art/Sculpture-Found-Objects-Pussy-Cat/12013/101255/view

also by the artist

[Everincreasingirth]

Have to say I really don't know what to make of that. Is it art? Why would you make something like that? Not sure if I am offended by it or not. Certainly don't see the point. The artist does have a thing about vaginas by the look of it.

[CajaDeLaMemoria]

i almost posted on the other tthread to say that we studied this guy in feminism, and he's a bit of an oddball.

While it's easy (and commendable) to see the good in what he does, he seems to have an unhealthy obsession with women's genitals.

[HairyHandedTrucker]

On the one hand it seems kind of patrnoisin for a man to say I am making this for you women so you feel good about your vagina.

and it's also a bit weird to reduce us down to a wall of vagina not to mention the fact that he would have had the opportunity of plaster casting hundreds of vaginas... which is a bit hmm..


BUt you know, equally, separating the art from the artist (and that fucking weird dead cat thing) I could see your teenage nieces leaving feeling a bit more normal about their bodies and what they assume to be normal

[HairyHandedTrucker]

patrnoisin obviously or not so obviously really should be patronising.

[EleanorK]

In my opinion, it's an interesting piece of art and a positive statement for a couple of reasons. I felt a bit uncomfortable at first seeing so many disembodied vulvas, and I don't know how I'd explain it to teenagers. But I like it.

First, there's a lot of confusion and mysteriousness about women's genitals. Treating the clitoris like it's a weird thing, for example, and not knowing the proper names. I had no clue how my labia and vulva were meant to look for a long time! Anything that makes female genitalia less 'other' lessens shame and helps women feel more comfortable with themselves.

Secondly it challenges the idea that a 'normal' vulva has neat, small labia and a perfect 'clamshell' look. I sometimes read posts from girls who think they need surgery because their inner labia stick out and look 'yucky'! Seeing that there's huge natural variation can only help. It's bad enough that men are pressured to be obsessed with penis size without women getting hangups as well.

Oh and lastly ... penises and boobs get all the attention, so let's hear it for vaginas! They push out babies! They give and create pleasure! Hooray for vaginas!

[LineRunner]

I hate that image on the link, Trucker. So smug.

[HairyHandedTrucker]

Cats are so self satisfied they even look smug with fannies on their head.

[LineRunner]

I'm assuming that's part of his [the artist's] 'play', Trucker.

It's a D minus from me.

[purplelamp]

Have name changed for this so I don't out myself.

I've met, and worked with, the artist, and do sincerely believe he wants to change the attitudes towards women, and towards the social ideas about the vulva. The Great Wall Of Vagina is a really amazing work. The book about it, including written pieces from a lot of the models, is really wonderful. So many of the contributors say within it how crap they felt about themselves before hand, and how this has helped them change that.

The Wall itself contains such an amazing variety of shapes, sizes, forms... You can't help but feel impressed with the range of 'normal'.

Also must very much disagree with the suggestion that he must get off it it in some way. He is incredibly professional, and does body castings as part of his work. Think it's also work mentioning that there is a - smaller - wall of penises as well!!

He isn't a friend of mine, but an acquaintance I am glad to know.

[HairyHandedTrucker]

have you got any insight in to the fanny cat purple?