IN DIALOGUE WITH NINA PAIM
After engaging in an insightful conversation with Nina Paim, a designer, researcher, curator, educator and activist, I was presented with a novel outlook on the video essay, references and potential directions for future exploration. Drawing from her experience in the realm of feminist design politics, we had a meaningful discussion not only pertaining to the subject of eroticism but also in connected areas like sexuality, sex education, and the feminist perspective.
One recurring theme in the feedback received from both Nina and Max’s last assessment was the suggestion to engage and research more with the theory around eroticism to better comprehend its existence, societal purposes, and the necessity for this suggestive form of communication. Nina also suggested taking a step back and looking at the related areas, especially the topic of sexuality. She talked about the importance of exploring literature and gaining insights from the multitude of experiences and voices that have contributed to the discourse of sexuality. By delving into literature, it is possible to draw from the wisdom and experiences of those who have come before, offering valuable strategies, tools, and ways of representing sexuality that can challenge and subvert established norms.
Another significant point raised during our conversation is how my intention to challenge the role of erotic imagery in a patriarchal society is not really apparent in the work. Even when those erotic images are considered beautiful, they can still conform to certain norms that exclude diverse bodies, shades, genders, and abilities. Due to this, she also provided me with a list of books to read. One of the books, The Feminist Porn Book: The Politics of Producing Pleasure, edited by Tristan Taormino (2013), discussed the intersection of feminism and pornography, offering a critical perspective on how erotic imagery is produced and consumed. It highlights the diversity of feminist viewpoints on the subject and challenges traditional notions and stereotypes associated with adult entertainment. This book opened up my view on the subject and led me to consider promoting a more diverse, respectful, and ethical approach to sexuality and erotic representation in my work.
During my conversation with Nina, the topic of sex education was brought up at one point. She emphasised the importance of understanding the cultural context of sex education – Many people have misconceptions about sex and sexuality, often perpetuated by inaccurate portrayals in media and erotic imagery. Comprehensive sex education can debunk these misconceptions and provide accurate information. By comparing experiences from where we are from, which are different parts of the world, we both agreed that a common issue in our sex education systems is that they often rely on fear and disgust as pedagogical tools. This discussion led me to contact a group of young designers who are also my college friends from Thailand. All of us happened to come from a different school backgrounds. Some are from single-gender schools, and some are from mixed-gender schools. We talked about our experiences with sex education in school, which we all agreed that it was un-informing and nowhere near as much as we needed. In fact, sex education is often omitted from the curriculum in many schools; when it is included, abstinence is typically presented as the most endorsed method of protection. Another thing we all agreed on is that in Thai society, sex still remains a sensitive topic, leading individuals to experience discomfort discussing it even within the confines of a group of friends.
Both conversations have prompted me to refine my inquiry and clarify my intended message for potential audiences, particularly concerning how individual experiences with erotic imagery are influenced by culture, background, and personal preferences. This has led me towards a more enlightened and inclusive way of moving forward and encouraged me to take a step back and explore other areas around eroticism.
Musikarat, R. (2023) Teams Conversation with Nina Paim, 6 June.
Taormino, T., Shimizu, C., Penley, C., and Miller-Young, M. (eds) (2013) The Feminist Porn Book: The Politics of Producing Pleasure. New York: The Feminist Press.