For years scientists have struggled to explain the evolutionary benefit of menstruation. Recent studies have attempted to prove that this hormone-driven cycle is an elaborate form of pre-pregnancy embryo selection, but even that theory leaves many questions unanswered.
Taking place at a government backed institution, [Flow] can do much to bring about a cultural shift
This exhibition at the MEK is not as concerned with the science as with the culture and products surrounding menstruation. From early 20th-century advertisements for Gesundheitsbinden (health pads) to knitted Pussyhats, worn as a protest against Donald Trump’s presidency, the exhibition features over 200 objects that trace the development of menstrual products.
Museen zu Berlin, Museum Europäischer Kulturen / Christian Krug
Advertising around the disposable menstrual product industry has always propagated negative ideas about periods, emphasising discreteness and cleanliness and perpetuating the idea that menstruation is somehow unsanitary. This exhibition aims to alter that perception by focusing on the experiences of people who menstruate, providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and shedding light on under-discussed and historically under-researched topics.
The show is coming at a propitious moment, coinciding with the ‘menstrual revolution’, with changing perceptions – such as Wimbledon’s recent relaxation of its outdated all-white dress code – and the invention of newer products such as Mooncups and environmentally sustainable menstrual underwear. With Flow taking place at a government backed institution, it can do much to bring about a cultural shift and put the topic firmly on the public agenda.
- Flow: The Exhibition About Menstruation, through 6 Oct 2024, Museum der Europäischen Kulturen, Dahlem, details.
