The Titty Library

Abstract

I will never forget when I was 12 years old and told to get a breast reduction at my yearly physical. My breasts had always caused me trouble growing up. I only grew to be five feet tall and my bra cup size was an "I" by the time I was 16. It hurt to perform any physical activity, find clothes that fit, and feel comfortable in my skin. I ended up receiving the operation when I was 18, one month before moving into college. It was the best decision I ever made. My mental and physical health improved greatly. Planning the surgery was difficult to do at such a young age. All of the material surrounding the procedure was purely medical. It was cold and clinical. I longed to have something personal and warm. I decided to create a series of artist's books detailing my personal experience with my body, and about how to plan and recover from the surgery. I decided to use different bookbinding's to reflect the different approaches to the topic. The books would be illustrated and RISO printed by myself. I ended up having a senior show exhibiting the books and a bra sculpture in the VA. The opening went smoothly, and three people came just because they were interested in the procedure, or had had it before.