The tampon complex
Fall 2022
In the first few weeks of graduate school, I have created a momentous amount of cyanotypes, all making commentary on the resemblance and application between a tampon and a bullet. This body of work is titled, ‘The Tampon Complex’.
Complex is defined as “Noun: A system of interrelated, emotion-charged ideas, feelings, memories, and impulses that is usually repressed and that gives rise to abnormal or pathological behavior. / A fixed idea; an obsessive notion.” (Dictionary.com).
The Tampon Complex houses cyanotypes that have been exposed in the hot August and September sun, bathed, dried, pressed, and embellished using techniques and materials of paper weaving, typography, posca pens, loose glitter, beads, embroidery thread, lace, dyed tampons and string, and acrylic ink splattered on top, set upon found crochet table runners and blankets. Continuing in the Printmaking realm, there are so a select few of photo lithographs presented, based off of some of my cyanotypes, focusing on controlling the scale of them, presenting them larger.
The collections’ purpose is to display elegance, memorial, pain, fear, overcoming the elements that harm you, and thinking about the purpose of their presence. To beautify and ornament scenes that may be perceived as grotesque is not meant to cover up the acts and topics referenced, but to demand your attention. These pieces are precious, as are our bodies, and what we let penetrate us.
This idea is unfinished, as I am not yet done speaking on, to, and with it.
Complex is defined as “Noun: A system of interrelated, emotion-charged ideas, feelings, memories, and impulses that is usually repressed and that gives rise to abnormal or pathological behavior. / A fixed idea; an obsessive notion.” (Dictionary.com).
The Tampon Complex houses cyanotypes that have been exposed in the hot August and September sun, bathed, dried, pressed, and embellished using techniques and materials of paper weaving, typography, posca pens, loose glitter, beads, embroidery thread, lace, dyed tampons and string, and acrylic ink splattered on top, set upon found crochet table runners and blankets. Continuing in the Printmaking realm, there are so a select few of photo lithographs presented, based off of some of my cyanotypes, focusing on controlling the scale of them, presenting them larger.
The collections’ purpose is to display elegance, memorial, pain, fear, overcoming the elements that harm you, and thinking about the purpose of their presence. To beautify and ornament scenes that may be perceived as grotesque is not meant to cover up the acts and topics referenced, but to demand your attention. These pieces are precious, as are our bodies, and what we let penetrate us.
This idea is unfinished, as I am not yet done speaking on, to, and with it.