Andrea: What is 101 Vagina about? Please share why the Vagina Monologues inspired your book enough to author this book.
Phillip: Basically 101 Vagina is simply about breaking down the taboo around vaginas. But it goes further than that to make people feel more comfortable with their bodies and themselves generally.
When I read the Vagina Monologues I was struck by how debilitating this taboo can be on a personal and societal level. Generally taboos point to some sort of shame. So many people hold shame or discomfort around their bodies and also their genitals. It leads to all sorts of anxiety and had sparked a huge increase in the number of women, and even teenage girls seeking out labiaplasty, even though they have perfectly normal labia.
Andrea: Is it accurate that you raised $20,000 for this project through crowd funding? If so, why do you think so many people were willing to support the project?
Phillip: Yes, I did this through the Pozible crowdfunding platform. What I found is that the project really struck a chord with people. It seems that this taboo was/is really ripe for the breaking and people want to support that mission. There was a real enthusiasm among so many different people, they saw it as a good idea and wanted to support the project.
Andrea: Is labiaplasty common? In your opinion, how does this tie into female body image?
Phillip: I would not go so far as to say it's common, but it is getting much more common. What seems to have happened in recent years is that a notion has spread that "normal" vaginas don't have inner labia protruding, that "innies" are more common, and more attractive, than "outies" where the inner labia protrude. But actually the opposite is true, and so from this point of view it's all about body image. That people have a distorted images of what's normal or attractive.
Andrea: How have women reacted to a man photographing a woman's intimate parts?
Phillip: Most people are fine with it, but there are also some who are quick to judge. "Man taking photos of vaginas" is a very easy target for quick assumptions and judgements. Yes, there are some people who are upset about my gender, but so far I've found that this kind of opposition only comes from people who have actually not engaged with the project at all. On the other hand there have also been many women who are particularly pleased that a man is doing this work, that a man is taking interest in women's issues. So it's a mixed bag, but overwhelmingly people are fine with it.
Andrea: What is your goal with the book?
Phillip: My goal is to open people's hearts and minds. It's really that simple. In this case I'm trying to break down the vagina taboo and get people comfortable with it, open them up to being more comfortable with themselves and with bodies in general.
Andrea: As a German/Australian photographer, have you noticed that some people are more or less capable of looking at the project from an educational point of view, based on the place where they are from? Does anyone mistake it as erotic content instead?
Phillip: Again, people only mistake it as erotic if they have not taken the time to actually look. Sure, I think some cultures are more open about bodies and sexuality than other, but you can really never tell. A person might be from a very repressive culture but they themselves are very open. Someone else might be from a very open culture but they are very closed. So it's best to try and not make any assumptions about people based on their background. Many of my acquaintances have expresses surprise at their own reaction, expecting themselves to be more open than they actually found themselves to be.
Andrea: Who is your target audience?
Phillip: I want this book to reach out to the masses, to change as many minds as possible, even if just a little. I'm not that interested in preaching to the converted, and neither am I out to shock people. The taboos around our bodies and sexuality are changing rapidly, and so I just want to give people another reason to be more accepting of themselves and others. So really, this book is for anyone who's open to it.
Andrea: Please tell us about how you intend to also support charities through the book.
Phillip: Because the Vagina Monologues was my initial inspiration, and Eve Ensler started the VDay foundation to work against violence towards women, I also wanted to give back. I have already donated funds from the sale of the book to my friend Atira Tan's charity, The Art 2 Healing Project, which helps victims of sex trafficking in Asia. She does really amazing work and did a TEDx talk recently, very inspiring.
Andrea: How has the book been received during your first tour stop in LA? Have you received reviews or media coverage?
Phillip: The opening night is today !!! So we will see :) There will be some media there, but not sure how much or what will come of it.
Purchase link/website:
http://101vagina.com
Social media information:
https://www.facebook.com/101vag
https://twitter.com/101vagina
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