A version of this article originally appeared on The Creators Project Netherlands.
Couples may not always welcome menstruation with open arms, but the Lewis family isn’t your average duo. For their macro photography project, Beauty in Blood, Jen Lewis collected her own menstrual fluid and let hubby Rob Lewis use its bright red color palette to create the stunning, swirling photographs seen here.
Videos by VICE
Inspired by the microscopic photographs of blood cells lining the walls of hospitals, after Mrs. Lewis was advised to switch from pads to a menstrual cup, the idea was born for a photo collection of her collected discharge.
The blood was documented in two ways: The first series of photographs were taken of samples in an empty toilet, so as to reflect the contrast between the bright red liquid and white porcelain. Then, they went one step further, pouring the fluid into water and salt-filled containers to enhance the blood’s organic silhouettes.
The resulting red patterns recall Albert Seveso’s Ink in Water collection, but with a daring, innate humanity that shows how menstrual fluid can take on many different characteristics. In fact, that’s exactly what the Lewis couple takes on with the Beauty in Blood series: they desire to challenge the unfair stigmas surrounding menstruation, the idea that it’s anything more than something that connects women the world over. It’s a bold attempt to turn a taboo into something fascinating—if you’re okay with a little unorthodox art, allow these pictures open up a new conversation.
The Ribbon Rose, 2013
Tree, 2013
Fire & Brimstone, 2013
Beauty in Blood: Untitled #1.mov from Robert Lewis on Vimeo.
Click here to view more of the Beauty in Blood series.
Via Huffington Post
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