Sculptural Snogging

British Science Association (2023)

For the British Science Festival (a British Science Association and Exeter University partnership), ‘Sculptural Snogging’ was an art/science event blending physical and digital creative spaces. It explored public health research of trans and non-binary sexual healthcare, including the UK National LGBTQ+ Survey which demonstrated widespread concerns with access and experiences of services. The project invited in the public to raise awareness and promote action for change. In collaboration with the LGBTQ+ charity the Intercom Trust, the drop-in session aimed to de-bunk sexual health myths, explore public health challenges, and promote body positivity. 

The public could step into a make-shift art laboratory space to delve into the art and science of our mouths, kissing and sexual health by sculpting fantastical queer lips and tongues in wax. Historically used for anatomical models, participants could personalise their own with piercings, ink and make-up. Attendees curiously walked into the space and sat down to get stuck into some hands-on making with an assortment of tools to craft weird and wonderful creations. The Intercom Trust brought LGBTQ+ support workers to share their experiences and resources to spark new stories and conversations together. 

Participants could also view the 3D mouth sculptures in a virtual reality art gallery set-up in the space which they could walk around, inquisitively being immersed with the sculptures surrounding the room. These digital anatomies explored queering of the body and transcendentally enhanced oral creations to playfully explore the body.