FUSION
Menopause is a transitional period of life that can cause serious psychological changes, such as depression, mood swings, stress, anxiety, and irritability. Consequently, poor body image and low self-esteem can arise. Physiologically, alterations in heart rate, night sweats, hot flushes, and vaginal dryness can become real handicaps in everyday life and make the reintroduction of sexual activity into a relationship difficult.
Women often experience a loss of sense of self, lack of confidence, and disempowerment, as well as feelings of unattractiveness. Playing and salient role in presenting a negative social and sexual status for older women society frequently portrays older women as non-sexual beings, whose sexual activity is either considered non-existent or shameful.
This proposal aims to develop research and address the ongoing issues faced by pre- and post-menopausal individuals. The study focuses on reducing anxiety and its negative impact by designing underwear that can emit caress-like sensations.
This three step project will unfold as such,
(1) Research into menopause, its individual and societal impacts, its unaddressed issues and the role in the ageing process.
(2) Focus groups and workshops facilitation: a small group of both cis- and trans-women currently going through menopause and willing to share their experience, try prototypes and give their feedback. This is a sensitive subject that needs to be approached with care. Women will need to feel understood, safe and comfortable talking about their sexual and physical needs. I propose to spend 3 to 4 days with the group so as to get to know them, understand their everyday life, what they do and familiarising them with me and the project. During this time, I will also start prototyping and gathering their feedback. The workshops will include weaving, textiles making, painting. Using one’s hands often allows oneself to open up, get to know one another, and feel comfortable talking about a personal and intimate subject.
(3) Prototyping.
The project aims to promote healthy, active living during the ageing process and to acknowledge the importance of sexual activity for the elderly at both an individual and societal level. Its intended impact is twofold: to decrease the fear of ageing and becoming a burden to others, and to improve the physical (sexual activity) and psychological (mood disorders) quality of life for menopausal women.
