Betty Dodson with Carlin Ross

Better Orgasms. Better World.

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I'm sure this man's exhibition was mentioned on the site a while ago. Regarding the use of the word vagina instead of vulva, I think he mentions on his website that he knows he's used the wrong word, but of course it being a play on the Great Wall of China, vagina, as a word, worked better.

The spirit of the exhibition is wonderful and anything that brings attention to the many different ways a woman's vulva can look is a great thing in my book. So a bravo from me too!

(On another note, I wasn't in the least bit surprised when I first heard about this and found it was in Brighton; Brighton's always been a liberal/alternative kind of place. I'll have to find out if the Great Wall of Vagina [sic] is still showing because I'd love to make a trip down south to see it).

No it's not. I was in Brighton last saturday and so I looked on the website to see if it's still there and the exhibition is closed. He temperarily converted his workshop to show it. I think it should be on show perminantly at Brighton museum and art gallery. BTW it's the 1st time I've been to Brighton, it's lovely. 

This is great. It does impart in me something of an ache for the inexperienced lover who is, clearly unfairly, expected to find their, hopefully sensitive, way to her clitoris. Even with good experience with finding the clit on one woman, the next clit is quite likely to be very differently presented, and probably either more visible or more hidden. This show strongly reinforces the need for sex ed that emphasises a woman knowing her own genitals and what touch she likes to stimulate them, and learning how to tell this to and guide her lover. I know Betty has been saying this for decades, and really this is just another useful positive towards that goal.

on a similar project on a much smaller scale. My Bodysex workshop women supplied many of his models after my glowing report of what it was like to pose for him. Having an artists intense gaze on my once imagined genital deformity as he created art was very healing. Doug didn't make casts but sculpted each one free hand. He depicted only the clitoris and the inner lips. Maybe Carlin can find a photo to post. I'd like to think modern vulva art reappeared following my original vulva slide show for NOW in 1973 that I then translated into pen and ink illustrations in my first little self published book titled Liberating Masturbation: a Meditation on Selfove. Viva la Vulva!

...I was nearly one of the last two women cast for the sculpture but I couldn't make it to Brighton from Amsterdam in time. *sad face*
Looking at myriad vulvas changed my life, first in Betty's book and then on ishotmyself.com. A Bravo for James from me as well. 

As a still sexually-active male at age 64, I can tell you that over the last nearly 55 years I have seen and experienced quite a number of vulvas and they all were beautiful.  That's why I can not understand why any woman who has normal functions would ever seek so-called "corrective surgery."  There's really nothing, in my opinion, to correct.
 
There's nothing unattractive about a visible clitoris or generous labia.  Some of us males find those to actually be more attractive and arousing that those that are not so easily seen.  It makes even less sense to make changes to the source of a woman's intimate beauty because some woman, or more likely catty teenage girls in a locker room, would try and tease or be critical about the appearance of another girl's vulva.  If a woman is straight, why would she care what another woman finds attractive?
 
Of course, I also don't care about the size or volume of a woman's breasts and think enhancement surgery is unnecessary as well.  We all should not only be happy about what our Creator has given us, but also have pride in who and what we are.  That is what I find to be truly sexy.
 
Basically, the most beautiful woman in the world is the one who is currently sharing herself intimately with me.

The content on this website rocks! This is so exceeding my wildest expectations.
I couldn't find any info on Betty's artist. And here's an update on James.
1. James is doing another exhibit in London in June, 2012...you can contact his website for details.
2. I sent this info to SFMOMA requesting they bring the exhibit to San Francisco and volunteered my time to help them do so. (We'll see what happens but others may want to consider bringing the exhibit to your local city/town). James said he's willing but doesn't have the money to make this happen so the request has to come from the museum.
3. Since I forgot to have kids, I have no idea what age would be appropriate for school kids to see this exhibit, but personally I think that would be a great "gift" to the next generation.
Here's his new website. The gift shop includes a kit so you can do your own casting OR order the one in chocolate that Carlin posted OR  get BOTH!
http://www.greatwallofvagina.co.uk/home
Cheers,
Suzanne

In an email exchange with the Gallery Director in London (Kevin Payne), he sent the news that the sculpture has been renamed "The Great Wall".
:-) 

Thanks calistogabe for keep us informed. Is there any info on how the change came about? My fantasy is that women requested the correct name be used for the female genitals.

In emailing SFMoma, I was blind copying James and Kevin Paine, the gallery manager in London. Here's a part of an email I sent to SFMoma:

Next morning, Kevin sent SFMoma and me an email announcing the name change!