I was particularly revved up for my latest trip to London, since - after a successful crowdfunding op - the Vagina Museum in Camden Town had finally opened in November of last year. Since I hadn’t been in town for its opening (which, apparently, was rather a fun bash) I’ve had to hold my horses, wondering what awaits me when I finally make it through the door…
A little history. Whilst there - of course - exists a penis museum (in Iceland, I believe), this is the first museum of its kind to redress the balance, and publicise the beauty of female genitalia! The idea that was initially floated was less sensationalist than educational - rather than have ‘Tracy Emin’ style exhibits on display, it would exist as a learning space - a place where both adults (and teenagers) can be educated - learning more about the vagina (and vulva), as well as getting to grips with the endless idiotic myths surrounding this quite fascinating organ. After all, when you think about it, nearly all of us came out of one!
So - - drum roll - what did I see when I finally stepped inside?
Well, it’s quite a small space but very well put-together. There’s plenty of information on offer, in the form of text posters, including ‘Muff-busters - myths and how to fight them” dealing with the endless misconceptions surrounding the vagina (the most obvious one being that it’s ‘dirty’).
The information on display is dispelling the stigmas around the subject, and looking critically at the endless taboos that exist around periods, contraception and pregnancy.
The very fact that it’s set out in such a straightforward way is also a great relief to me, when you think of how low the humour can get when men start on this subject!
Well, let’s face it, boys are silly at the best of times, but when it comes to vaginas they can be positively clueless…
(A pro pos of nothing, I remember a guy at university once talking about ‘ladybits.’)
Poster by Charlotte Wilcox
I was also impressed by the fact that the museum spells out the difference between vaginas and vulvas (an enormous number of adults can’t differentiate). In the sense that they’re addressing women and men’s insecurities and get them to understand that vaginas don’t all look the way they’re portrayed in porn films, they’re doing a great job. Along with the info, there’s some decent visual art, including a red and white glittery tampon!
I did hear from a friend that on opening night that they were offering visitors a chance to make their own felted and vajazzled vaginas, but that might be an urban myth! Pity - I would have liked to have tried my hand...
The fact is that the Vagina Museum is tiny and has a long way to go, but the very fact that this kind of information is out there, in a public space, is something to celebrate. And for mothers too embarrassed to talk about sex with their daughters, it’s perfect.
(It’s also the kind of place I’d encourage schools to take teenagers pupils - ok, there would be a certain amount of sniggering, but I still think they’d learn something).
Before you leave, take a look at the gift shop area - there’s vagina-themed jewellry, cool postcards, interesting books and mugs for those who like vaginas with their morning coffee! And, as well as the exhibit space itself, they’re now running quiz nights and crochet classes (yep, you can knit your own vagina!) Finally, for any serious female, there’s membership on offer - yes, you too can become a card-carrying member of the ‘Cliterati’. I kid you not.
All hail the vagina and the Vagina Museum. I only wish it had been around when I was a teenager - it would have saved me lots of angst and embarrassment. May it continue to grow and flourish...
Units 17-18, The Stables
Camden Market, London NW1
Nearest tube: Chalk Farm/Camden Town (Northern Line).
Opening hours 10am to 6pm.