"The Red Tent" is a series of three tents depicting uncelebrated rites of passage in women's lives. The first tent, shown here, is menstruation, the second is motherhood, and the third is menopause. Each tent is an interactive, multimedia feminist experience, and ultimately, they will all be shown together as one one unit. The series is based on Anita Diamont's fictional work; "The Red Tent". In Biblical times, the red tent was a place that tribal women gathered to celebrate births, and to menstruate monthly. At what point did this sacred space become a punishment rather than an honor? When did our "moon blood" become "Eve's Curse"? What would happen if we started to celebrate this rite of passage in America? 

In this installation, the left side represents traditional handling of moon blood in pre-Biblical times. Women sat together on hay beds and spun wool into yarn, as well as creating strong cultural bonds. An altar was always present with offerings of triangle-shaped cakes and the family terraphim. On the right side of the installation is our culture's neatly-packaged commodification of menstruation. Work is in progress on torso casts wearing belts and other devices to catch the flow. A collage of media imagery will be added to exhibit. A sound track plays inside the tent of a group of women from different cultures and eras, telling thier stories of getting thier first period, and how they've come to feel about menstruation. A comment book is provided for viewers to add thier own stories and suggestions. 

It is my hope to inspire celebration of these important transitions and create a society where women feel valued and honored rather than disrespected and disempowered.