Festival of the Vagina

I first heard about the 101 Vagina Coffee Table Project, created by photographer Philip Werner, whilst on another one of my aimless wanders around Fitzroy. I was on the corner of Brunswick St and Elgin St, when I see a woman's naked pubic region staring me in the face. Naturally, I did a double take. Yes, I had seen correctly. Upon closer inspection, the image was a poster advertisement for an upcoming book launch for a project called 101 Vagina. It was being advertised as a celebratory party, and it was being held on the evening of a day that I had to hand in an assignment – and would probably be feeling the need to party – it was fate. In the diary it went. In the weeks leading up to the event, I mentioned it to every one of my friends, sussing out whether they'd join me or whether I'd be going alone. I wasn't afraid, but there was certainly a level of apprehension there, however small. Luckily my boyfriend agreed to accompany me (with a questionable amount of enthusiasm). In the weeks leading up to the event, I didn't do much research on the project, except for every now and then double checking the entertainment for the night to know what we'd be in for. This included things like 'Decorate your own muff muffin', 'Spoken word and poetry' and 'Vagina Monologues recital'. At the very least, it was certainly going to be an interesting evening.

[the poster]

So the evening of the launch finally rolled around and I was faced with another very serious dilemma: what on earth does one wear to a vagina party? Is the idea to dress up as a vagina? Or at least, lots of ruffles? In the end I decided that it probably didn't really matter. I felt that given the progressive nature of the book itself, and its emphasis on nudity, the clothes that the guests wear is probably not of much importance. As it turned out I was only partly right.

So we arrived at the event and were greeted with a sign that directed us down a dark and winding alleyway to gain entry to the party. Not a good start to ease apprehension levels. There were cameras out the front of the gallery space, though I'm not quite sure what for. Probably waiting for a glimpse of a naked woman. The entrance was covered with red and pink sheets, giving the impression of entering (or exiting) a womb. As a woman, there was definitely something comforting about it. We paid our small donation, went inside and were greeted by several women dressed in vagina costumes. I was kicking myself for not doing the same.

[the decked-out gallery space]

It was fuller than I was expecting (though the photo above is of the space after most of the guests had cleared out). I guess a certain amount of people will always show up for something controversial, but this was mainly hippies and artist-types. My boyfriend and I were among the youngest there. I wondered what this says about the youth of today and their relationship with the vagina and female sexuality in general? Would the rise in accessibility of internet pornography help or hinder a cause such as this? It's a difficult question to answer. We interrupted the speeches upon entering, so we tried to quietly find a spot to stand and soak it all up. The MC, Cunstable Minoumayhem was in the middle of introducing everybody to the event, thanking them for coming and introducing the speakers. Next up was Jill Tomlinson, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon. I was glad that she spoke because she raised the very serious issue of the rise of female genital reconstructive surgery. This was an issue I first became familiar with years ago after viewing a documentary called 'The Perfect Vagina' (2008) by television presenter Lisa Rogers who explored the growing trend of “designer vaginas” in the UK, whereby women are feeling compelled to undergo surgery to get what they believe will be better-looking vaginas. It's sad and worry-some viewing and the reason why books such as the 101 Vagina Project are being created, to 'smash the taboo' about vaginas (as the poster describes) and to help women build less antagonist relationships with their privates. Lisa Rogers claims that while the doco began as a mere investigative piece, it evolved into a 'quest to get my gender to question their insecurities, and see if I could find alternatives to surgery' (in Rogers, 2008).

[guests viewing the '101 Vaginas']

Kristen Drysdale also explores the issue in her piece for ABC's Hungry Beast, called 'Healing it to a single crease' (2010), referring to the magazine industry's term for photoshopping any visible protruding labia shown in their publications. Unlike the alterations made to women's bodies such as airbrushing cellulite etc, this a process regulated by the Classification Board as anything more is considered to be 'too rude for soft porn' (in Drysdale, 2010). While there is no explanation as to why exactly this would be too rude, it does not change the fact that there is a whole generation out there being exposed to unrealistic depictions of a particular body part. Is this where the feeling of general genital dissatisfaction is stemming from? Probably not solely, but it certainly doesn't help. Rogers agrees, stating that she believes the 'secrecy' – or censorship – that surrounds the vagina is 'the breeding ground for the insecurity that accompanies it' (in Rogers, 2008).

[me eating my 'muff muffin' // me embracing a Vulvaliscious Cushion]

Which brings me back to the exhibition. We decorated and ate our 'muff muffins'. We studied the many images of women's naked pubic regions, accompanied by their personal anecdotes. We got a lesson in the structure of the vagina from Laura Doe and her 'Vulvaliscious Cushions'. And we played Sex Trivia with Kate McCombs and the Sex Geeks. As much as we can view an event like this as just a bit of fun, and something naughty, it really is quite a bit more serious. It's an attempt to make a shift in society. To talk about and celebrate things that are not talked about or celebrated. To remove the stigma. To smash the taboo. To help women begin to feel good about themselves again. And that's a cause worth fighting for.

REFERENCE LIST:

101 Vagina Book Launch and Exhibition poster, Philip Werner, 2013

Drysdale, K., 2010 'Healing it to a single crease', The ABC, 3 March, retrieved April 1 2013 < http://www.abc.net.au/tv/hungrybeast/blog/kdrysdale/healing-it-single-crease/ >

Rogers, L. 2008 'The quest for the perfect vagina', The Guardian, 15 August, retrieved April 1 2013 < http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/tvandradioblog/2008/aug/15/thequestfortheperfectvagi >