Songs of Sanity (2023)

Graduation Project from Academy of Media Arts Cologne

14 photographs, audio walk (25 min.)

Myths about female presenting people exaggerating their pain, being neurotic, or even “hysterical“ persist to this day. Since ancient times, “the woman“ was considered imperfect and insufficient – because of their deviation from the male-defined body. As a result, the idea emerged that the female-read biology was determined by excessive emotions. This has a particularly serious effect on gynecological disorders and treatments, which for centuries have been mired in misunderstanding and shame, leading to speechlessness and the creation of harmful myths.

In this work, seven people recount their experiences undergoing gynecological treatments. They report on power abuse, medical gaslighting, and feeling unheard. The exhibition challenges the hierarchies in medicine and draws attention to the need for a patient-centered and compassionate treatment.