What do you see down there? Using a remarkable connect-the-dots booklet, the GUM (Ghent University Museum) shows the world that there’s more than just your classical ‘dicks’ or ‘vaginas’ (and that vagina really isn’t even the correct term). The booklet was published as a part of the exposition PHALLUS. Norm & Form, which runs until April 2023.
The booklet will be distributed among students, high schoolers and will also be available in the museum shop (while stocks last). Just like the expo, the booklet challenges preconceptions: the look down can and should lead to questions up there.
20 pages, 20 vaginas. Or not at all?
Language and images don’t always peacefully co-exist. The vagina is a prime example of this. When we talk about the vagina, what we usually mean, is the vulva: the external part of the female genitals, which includes the lips of the vulva and the clitoris. The vulva is only one part of the extensive spectrum of genitalia.
The connect-the-dots booklet offers the draftsman some realistic insight into the great variety of genitalia and challenges him with pertinent questions. How do you view (your own) genitals? Is there such a thing as ‘normal’ when we talk about stuff below the belt – or not?
“We use the expo ‘PHALLUS. Norm & Form’ to show that there is no one form or one norm. Everyone’s different. The connect-the-dots booklet allows us to further spread that message,’ GUM director Marjan Doom tells us. “Connect the dots, finish the drawings and think about the unique position you find yourself in on the spectrum.
Also on toilet doors in cafes
Also in restrooms you often see drawings of dicks. And where are the vulvas? The GUM went to some cafes in Ghent to change that:
Workshops claying the clit, linocunt, …
Feel like getting your hands dirty and really getting to work on Phallus. Norm & Form? Register to participate in one of the creative workshops organised by the GUM. There will be linocuts, botanical drawing, claying the clitoris and more.
The expo PHALLUS. Norm & Form is open to the public up to and including 16 April 2023. Download a sample of the drawings shown at the exhibition on our website, where you also find information regarding the workshops and ticketing.
Read also
A critical glance down below: at the norms and forms of the genitals
The penis is everywhere: in ancient cave paintings, on toilet doors, in dick pics, and the phallus is also pretty popular in science and art. Why do female genitals deserve less attention, also in scientific investigations? This is the subject of the new exhibition at the GUM (Ghent University Museum).
Read also
Students take over GUM during Museum Night
The Ghent University Museum has a group of engaged students from different study programmes who volunteer to help with the museum's operations. We spoke to Gabriella, Maxime and Evelyne about how they support the GUM and Museum Night.
Aurèle supports fund for Botanical Garden: a tribute to his mother
After his mother passed away, Aurèle De Vos decided to commemorate his mother by establishing a fund and donating to the Botanical Garden. Its purpose is to help the Botanical Garden protect rare and endangered plants.
A critical glance down below: at the norms and forms of the genitals
The penis is everywhere: in ancient cave paintings, on toilet doors, in dick pics, and the phallus is also pretty popular in science and art. Why do female genitals deserve less attention, also in scientific investigations? This is the subject of the new exhibition at the GUM (Ghent University Museum).
Why expressing doubt is the foundation of science
Everyone knows the statement of René Descartes “Je pense donc je suis.” But did you know that the famous thinker actually said something before this phrase? “Je doute donc je pense, je pense donc je suis.” This translates to “I have doubts, so I am.” This phrase is the mantra of Ghent University Museum (GUM).
