Contraception: The Patient Information Leaflet
Stretched across the streets of Helsinki, this public installation takes the form of an oversized patient information leaflet, spotlighting the often-dismissed side effects of hormonal contraception methods on women and fostering discussions on shared responsibility and inclusivity.
Agency
Kitija Pekaine
Practice Area
Client
Art Academy of Latvia & Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Industry
The Challenge
According to World Health Organization, hormonal contraception methods can cause numerous side effects on women’s bodies, such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, breast tenderness, weight change, mood changes acne, changes in menstrual bleeding patterns, in rare cases even blood clots, stroke and heart attack. On the contrary, similar complications have been the reason for the termination of the development of similar contraception methods for males. The pivotal role of birth control in empowering women to plan childbirth and prioritise education, career, and autonomy cannot be overstated. Yet, there is a pressing need to revamp current methods, making them non-invasive to women’s natural menstrual processes, steering clear of health complications, and ensuring shared responsibility in contraception.
Project Vision
This project aims to start a wider discussion about shared contraception responsibility and inclusive methods by spotlighting these underlooked complications on the streets of Helsinki. The objective for women viewing this installation is to raise awareness about the potential side effects associated with introducing synthetic hormones into their bodies, disrupting their natural menstrual cycle. The aim is that this awareness empowers them to express their needs and preferences regarding contraception, encouraging critical thinking about the choices they make for their bodies, and prompting more questions during doctor consultations. For men observing this installation, the hope is that they can make an effort to comprehend and empathize with the challenges their partners may face in preventing unwanted pregnancies and take greater responsibility for contraception themselves.
Kitija Pekaine
Kitija Pekaine
Kitija Pekaine
Kitija Pekaine
Project Details
Design Team
Kitija Pekaine (author, ideation, design, visualizations)
Collaborators
Shirley Casey (iadt, dublin, ireland, workshop tutors)
Hilary Kenna (iadt, dublin, ireland, workshop tutors)
Tarja Nieminen (aalto university school of arts, design and architecture, espoo, finland, workshop coordinator and co-tutor)
Ausra Lisauskiene (vilnius academy of arts, lithuania, workshop co-tutor)
Photo Credits
Kitija Pekaine