MAX DEN HARTOG

Discussing our experiences with sex educationin our group we concluded all our experiences lacked significantly. Young people are consequently often denied even the most basic information about their sexual and reproductive health and rights. When it comes to the queer experience of sexuality, it’s usually left to explore by themselves. Comprehensive Sexuality Education leads to improved sexual and reproductive health, resulting in the reduction of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and unintended pregnancy. It not only promotes gender equality and equitable social norms, but has a positive impact on safer sexual behaviours, delaying sexual debut and increasing condom use.

After initially choosing to work with the topic of sexuality we had a brainstorm session to discover what topic might suit our interests best. We moved from the lack of sex education to stereotypes about sex and from there discussed the idea of playing with stereotypical sex calendars depicting non stereotypical models.

We did an open call for models on social media and started researching the topic.

@queerbabesrolecall

MANIFESTO
- gender expression through clothing and makeup is open and safe to everyone.
- discussion of sex and sexuality is not taboo and involves consent as a focus point.
- there is less/no judgment of each other based on stereotypes even within the queer community.
- sexiness does not lie in the eye of the beholder but in the mind of the beholder.
- good design defies stereotypes.

From these initial ideas we started working on finding potential models and defining the concept. I did some research myself and came up with some inspiration and eventually we worked on a moodboard we all agreed on. We wanted to go for a more intimate and personal vibe to the images.

Lesbian Beds (2002) - Tammy Rae Carland

De Amsterdamse naaktkalender (ongoing) - stadman.lara

BOYS videoclip (2017) - Directed by Charli XCX and Sarah McColgan

Once we had the concept down I worked on making a shortlist for potential models and inviting them to take part in the project. With the tight deadline we decided to make a prototype and focus on getting 4 quality fotoshoots over 12 rushed ones. We divided tasks, so myself and Barbora were in charge of the fotoshoots and interviews while Pascale and Ellie did the calendar and graphic design.

We also created our own font consisting of each of our model's own handwriting to use in the calendar.

Having very little photography experiences I must say I'm very proud of the work myself and Barbora did. All the interviews gave really wonderful insight into the minds of the people we were shooting and the photo's really show off who they are in a beautiful and vulnerable way.

Ellie and Pascale used our interview audio and photo's to create collage pages for the calendar.

CONCLUSION
I'm very proud of the work we did in the time we had. We developed our concept, researched it well and put a lot of work into creating the prototype. I feel the photo's and audio recordings might even have potential in different mediums and I definitely want to continue the project. Working with team has been an amazing experience. Everyone worked together, listened and brought something to the project.