Lately everyone who is anyone in the online world of feminism seems to have received this press release from creative agency Mother London announcing that they are launching "Project Bush, a call to action for women to stand up to the pressures of modern society and present their bushes in all their glory. Whether waxed or never tended, young, old, black, brown or white, we want to display London's lady gardens in all their variety, and demonstrate the choice that many young women - particularly - may not realise they have when it comes to waxing."
Mother London said they had been working with various feminist groups over the last month in order to come up with a campaign that would address the questions of modern feminism. The questions don't appear to be: 'why are you appearing to be a bit racist?' 'What is with this transphobia?' or 'Can we add some nuance to this Lad Mags and Page 3 campaign please thank-you?' or 'Shall we talk about bi-visibility?' but 'When can we see more pubic hair?'
Says Mother London: "For many women, it's about choice. Waxing culture has become so mainstream that some young women don't see it as a choice. So Project Bush is about questioning the status quo, as a means to discuss the state of feminism in 2013.
"We are inviting women to come and have their bushes anonimously [sic] photographed by top photographer Alisa Conan."
The conversation regarding pubic hair has been ongoing since the word Brazilian gained a definition other than just 'person from Brazil'. It went from 'omigoodness are you going to get one?!' to 'omigoodness you don't get that done?!' in what felt like a nano-second. Certainly not enough time to wax all your pubes off.
It then developed from a Carrie Bradshaw fashion thing to a hygiene thing, it is popular opinion among Young People that female pubic hair is unhygienic. And nobody wants to be dirty. Not in that way. It's also a porn thing. Hairy porn is now a rather vintage speciality. Not knowing what they do or don't like teen boys (and girls) take what porn they can get until they have their own credit card and broadband. Meaning the first naked sexual encounters they see will probably feature manicured nails and manicured pubic hair. Allegedly we have a growing number of Young People who cannot tell the difference between fantasy and real life, resulting in a waxed genital area being the norm.
Says Mother London: "For many women, it's about choice. Waxing culture has become so mainstream that some young women don't see it as a choice. So Project Bush is about questioning the status quo, as a means to discuss the state of feminism in 2013.
"We are inviting women to come and have their bushes anonimously [sic] photographed by top photographer Alisa Conan."
The conversation regarding pubic hair has been ongoing since the word Brazilian gained a definition other than just 'person from Brazil'. It went from 'omigoodness are you going to get one?!' to 'omigoodness you don't get that done?!' in what felt like a nano-second. Certainly not enough time to wax all your pubes off.
It then developed from a Carrie Bradshaw fashion thing to a hygiene thing, it is popular opinion among Young People that female pubic hair is unhygienic. And nobody wants to be dirty. Not in that way. It's also a porn thing. Hairy porn is now a rather vintage speciality. Not knowing what they do or don't like teen boys (and girls) take what porn they can get until they have their own credit card and broadband. Meaning the first naked sexual encounters they see will probably feature manicured nails and manicured pubic hair. Allegedly we have a growing number of Young People who cannot tell the difference between fantasy and real life, resulting in a waxed genital area being the norm.
| I recently had an encounter with the artist, Jamie McCartney on a late train from London to Brighton. As I ate my burger and minded my own business he asked me if I'd like an interesting conversation. No thank you, I believe I said, for I do not like people I don't know to see me eat. He introduced himself anyway as a sculptor based in Brighton. "Are you that Great Wall of Vagina guy?" I said, not because I recognised him but because I don't know any other Brighton sculptor and it was worth a shot. He was. | You might catch a glimpse of not very controversial V. With a dusting of hair perhaps. |
As it turned out we did have an interesting conversation, about the word vulva and how it doesn't rhyme with China, about a man heading up such a project, about whether or not the muff needed to be shaven off in order to be cast or not (he says yes, I say no, as long as you use a lot of Vaseline) and feminism. Because it was a while ago and not an interview I can't really tell you what was said. But thinking on it now I suppose were I do do a penis cast project I wouldn't feel the need to justify why I was making phallic art.
But then arguably the penis is not attached to the repressed sex (in strictly cis terms, you understand and not withstanding any issues concerning circumcision). I suppose there would be questions on the reasons behind whether or not I'd cast them erect, we're all pretty clear and comfortable with the knowledge that the male genitalia is...well it's kind of ugly. But all we worry about is the size of it. BIGGER! More of the nasty BEAST!
This is the thing. The Wall of Vagina, though not intended, was kind of a freak show. This is because we never see other women's vulvas. Not like that. Not fanny-first, if you will. You might catch a glimpse of not very controversial V. With a dusting of hair perhaps. But not labia. Not clit. Not this. Not like this, not like this.
Divided up into vaginas that had given birth, post-op new vaginas, pierced vaginas, women, children and men walked around and there was a definite sound of 'eurgh' going on rather than the awe a vulva demands. Because they are so unfamiliar.
So by displaying them in photo/plaster/oil-on-canvas etc form, or by performing monologues about them do we create a safer, better atmosphere for the vulva/vagina? Or should we all just whack 'em out more and demand secure indifference.
Squeamish Kate
But then arguably the penis is not attached to the repressed sex (in strictly cis terms, you understand and not withstanding any issues concerning circumcision). I suppose there would be questions on the reasons behind whether or not I'd cast them erect, we're all pretty clear and comfortable with the knowledge that the male genitalia is...well it's kind of ugly. But all we worry about is the size of it. BIGGER! More of the nasty BEAST!
This is the thing. The Wall of Vagina, though not intended, was kind of a freak show. This is because we never see other women's vulvas. Not like that. Not fanny-first, if you will. You might catch a glimpse of not very controversial V. With a dusting of hair perhaps. But not labia. Not clit. Not this. Not like this, not like this.
Divided up into vaginas that had given birth, post-op new vaginas, pierced vaginas, women, children and men walked around and there was a definite sound of 'eurgh' going on rather than the awe a vulva demands. Because they are so unfamiliar.
So by displaying them in photo/plaster/oil-on-canvas etc form, or by performing monologues about them do we create a safer, better atmosphere for the vulva/vagina? Or should we all just whack 'em out more and demand secure indifference.
Squeamish Kate
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