Will We Bleed in Outer Space?

Bloody Beautiful - Will we Bleed in Outer Space?

The Independent School for the City and affect lab teamed up once again for Will we Bleed in Outer Space? The 6th Gossip Session of Bloody Beautiful with Thais Zuchetti and Dr Varsha Jain.

An all-female crew is currently preparing for their maiden space voyage this year. Yet, menstruation in space is still under-researched and practically impossible during voyages and at space stations. Will we Bleed in Outer Space? is a Gossip Session for exploring the design of living and working environments for menstruators beyond Earth. This session delves into the unique considerations of space architecture not as an escape from the human-made-environmental-crises on our planet but rather as an extreme case study for how to approach the challenges we face on Earth. 

Situated within a feminist praxis (reclaiming gossip as a source of knowledge sharing) this event examines the current status of menstruation in outer space led by architect Thaïs Zuchetti, and former NASA space gynaecologist Dr Varsha Jain. We invite participation from architects, urbanists, activists, cultural thinkers and anyone interested in the intersection of inclusive design and menstruation rights.   

BLOODY BEAUTIFUL is a movement aimed at normalising conversations about menstruation & menopause by affect lab, a creative studio and research practice.

About affect lab
affect lab is a women-led creative studio and research practice led by interactive artist Klasien van de Zandschulp and researcher Dr. Natalie Dixon. In collaboration with an international artistic network, affect lab uses immersive storytelling, design research and experimental field work to inspire a more inclusive future. The studio's work is guided by principles of care and empathy for local culture and community with a focus on co-creating work, building networks of trust, fostering a sense of belonging and contributing to the emotional wellbeing of people & cities.

About Thais Zuchetti
Thaïs Zuchetti is a Brazilian-born multidisciplinary designer specialized in architecture. Alongside her career as an architect in the Netherlands, she recently graduated cum laude with a Msc in Architecture from the Academy of Architecture with her Graduation Project Lunar Lessons: habitat for interplanetary living, co-mentored by architect Stephan Verkuijlen, affect lab and Bernard Foing(European Space Agency). As part of her extensive two year research Zuchetti was part of an analogue mission at the Analogue Astronaut Center in Poland that simulates the conditions of space, keeping a period journal to monitor changes in her menstrual cycle.

About Dr Varsha Jain
Dr. Varsha Jain, also known as “the Space Gynecologist," is a practising clinician in gynaecology and obstetrics, and was one of the first doctors to study the health of female astronauts. With a particular passion for outer space, she has been working and conducting her dissertation at NASA and has been developing protocols for womxn’s health in space for the European Space Agency. As an active public educator, she emphasises how the benefits of this research is not only for menstruating astronauts, but also important information to understand periods and reproductive health on Earth. Her current research at the University of Edinburgh centres around heavy menstrual bleeding.

Programme Preliminary

18.30: Doors open

18:30-19:00: Journey to Space  

19.00-19.05: Introduction Independent School for the City 

19.05-19.15: BLOODY BEAUTIFUL Introduction by Dr. Natalie Dixon 

19.15-19.25: Welcome to space 

19.25-19.40: Presentation by Thais Zuchetti

19.40-20.10: Dr. Varsha Jain dials in from earth 

20.10-20.35: Interactive session: Drawing Inclusive Spaces 

20.35-20.55: Reflection 

20.55-21.00: Closing remarks 

21.00-22.00: Drinks at the bar 

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