When looking at directions to the Young V&A, I noticed an establishment close by. I did a double take on the name and decided to click and check out what I was seeing. I had read correctly: Vagina Museum, just a short 5 minutes walk from the Young V&A, free and open to the public. Why not stop in?
I have no regrets.
The staff were lovely, the vibe was chill, and the entire museum was unapologetically feminist and pro-LGBTQ+. The brick and mortar location boasts that it is independent and the only of it's kind in the UK, while still remaining free to the public. The goal of the museum is to break stigmas surrounding female anatomy and health, and to bring systemic misogyny, in all its forms, under scrutiny.
The first exhibit I encountered was The Museum of Mankind, a satirical spin on museums and their artifacts traditionally "discovered" and described by men who may not be of the culture in focus. The collection was set up double sided: One side was a fictional future museum where a man badly described and categorized items dealing with women's health and trans rights. The other side gave accurate identification of objects while also supplying the viewer with information on real realms of historical studies where male researchers failed to take female views and ideas into account to their own, eventual, discredit. Additionally, little snippets of information was given pertaining to the history of centering the male experience as standard, especially White men, leading to faulty scientific and historical claims that were accepted as truth far too long.
After this exhibit, I went upstairs to view the permanent installations. The From A to V installation is focused on female genitalia and all the forms it can take. This exhibit included a wall of explicit photographs that were freely taken, yet which I did not feel comfortable taking. Helpful felt models of both internal and external genitalia were accompanied by labels and information. Information on health and proper care was provided, along with notes about how this information should be standard and freely accessible without any taboo or stigma involved.
All images credited to The Vagina Museum, UK.
There was another, much smaller room dedicated to cervical screenings, their importance, and how they can be redesigned to make patients feel more comfortable. Included in this room was a copy of a current NHS letter to a patient alerting them that it was time for a cervical screening, formerly known as a pap smear. Not far away was a mock up of a new letter, one that was jovial and inviting, that said the same basic things but in a less off putting manner. Cervical screenings can save lives, and anything that encourages and promotes this, while actively working to improve patient care, has my approval
My only disappointment with this museum is that I cannot bring it back to the US with me. I am hopeful that despite past, and current, hardships, the museum finds its foothold in this community and continues to offer community support and education. While not much, I did make a purchase in their shop during my visit, both to commemorate this and to offer a bit of support.
No comments:
Post a Comment