Family
The negative attitude women have towards their bodies
and bodily functions is widespread. I see menstruation
as a symbol for an injury, a wound that bleeds every
month, that a patriarchal society has thrust upon
women. Helmot called the monthly bleeding the monthly
stupidity; Richard von Kraft-Ebbing described it as
monthly madness. In matriarchies there were
menstruation rites and it was positively regarded;
patriarchies hung the negative taboo on it. Women were
seen as unclean, and the unpure blood contrasted with
the masculine, healing blood of Christ.
I call my series of menstruation pictures "That's the
blood I've spilled for you." I try first through the
completed abstract structure of the menstrual blood to
make the viewer aware of the theme, and second, I use
the aesthetic work to reverse the negative value.
Women must confront their femaleness, which includes
menstruation. This process should not take place in
secret any more; the pictures make it public.
Austria
petra paul
