TEDxGallatin - Sheiva Rezvani - A History of Fashion and Science of Sex August 11, 2011

Favorite:

Sheiva Rezvani is a new media artist, writer and graphic designer dedicated to promoting feminism and progressive causes using new media technologies. She has worked and trained in digital media industries for ten years, starting with television broadcasting and editing, and eventually transitioning to design and photography. Sheiva's professional experience in both new media and politics led her to recognize a lack of integration between them. She is currently using her research to bridge that gap while pursuing a Masters in Gender History and New Media Production at NYU Gallatin. Learn more about Sheiva at: www.sheiva.com

What do dress reformers, underwear, and vibrators all have in common? In this talk Sheiva Rezvani looks at a brief history of sexual science at the turn of the twentieth century and how it shaped American cultural definitions and expectations around sex, gender and sexuality. She demonstrates how a medically authoritative language around "health" and "hygiene" became the scientific basis for invisibility and shame in everyday experiences with genitalia, and identities based on genitalia.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)