Iwona Demko’s reply to our project: Feminism in the art of women artists born after 1970. and Sex in art of artists born on or after 1968

Iwona Demko, 2011-09-22

The project is a desire to lift the curse of shame and disgust associated with women’s menstruation. In many cultures a menstrual period had a strong symbolic meaning. Usually it had a negative connotation.

Feminism

In Judaism and Muslim societies sexual intercourse (or whatever kind of sexual touch) during menstruation is condemned and forbidden. A week after the last period a woman “cleanses herself” during a ritual bath and earlier than that she is not ready for intercourse. In some eastern churches a woman during her menstrual period cannot receive Holy Communion. In India, there are communities that forbid women to cook during their periods. For the Gypsies even accidental touching of a woman’s skirt during her menstruation is tarnishing for a man.

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Sex

Ana – suromai from Greek: "lift ones’ clothes" is an act of exposing ones’ genitals used by women in order to scare off the powers of darkness, a predator, an enemy or a destructive power of nature. The act of ana-suromai could also increase the fertility of land and foster the growth of plants.

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