Perfect Cycle
Based on the average data on menstruation, I created a data visualisation that visualises the ‘perfect’ cycles of a menstruating person over their entire lifetime.
| Year | 2024 |
| Material | Secondhand fabric, Sewing machine |
| Production/Tools | Data illustrator, Sewing |
| Dimension | 1.2 x 4.3m |
| Contact | mialena@kneschke.de |
Motivation:
Even in 2024, menstruation remains a subject cloaked in silence and stigma. Bleeding is expected to stay hidden, as if it should occur without notice. Yet, for those who menstruate, it is a central, unavoidable part of life — one that demands time, care, and resilience to manage bleeding, navigate mood swings, and endure pain.
The data sculpture Perfect Cycle challenges this invisibility. It does not seek to hide the reality of menstruation but instead makes it visible. Through its intricate embroidery and deliberate use of fabric long associated with shame and concealment, the piece transforms the private into the public.
Practices and Processes:
1.The first step was analyzing the available data and exploring the form the object should take. Key considerations included determining its size and experimenting with materials. The choice of a red or white grid, lined or unlined, was central to achieving the right visual balance.
2. Next came experiments in visualizing bleeding. Different stitch shapes were tested to represent varying levels of pain — jagged stitches for intense discomfort, smoother ones for milder days — and selecting the right color for blood, ultimately settling on red thread for its vibrancy and symbolism.
3. Stitching the grid was a meticulous process. At 1.2 x 4.3m, the piece’s size demanded careful planning to ensure it fit the sewing machine and allowed for systematic progress.
4. Finally, the embroidered cycles were added to the grid. Each was stitched in the same way to ensure the data remained clear and legible.