Chienn Tai
Share
Interview after my Artist Talk at QIAA, sharing the project Just Let Me Lie Down, a bed instrument built with microcontrollers and DIY sensors that addresses the invisible chronic illnesses and simply the love for being in bed.
(I don't seem to be able to share a post that is not mine directly from Instragram, most things are on .co)
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNo1ZvMs96I/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=ZGF4c2g1OXQyNzEw
30/07/2025
。Period。(2024, 2025)+
Menstruation has been a cultural taboo for centuries, often shrouded in stigma, concealed, and misunderstood. Despite societal progress, a lack of understanding, acknowledgment, and empathy persists: whether regarding its physical reality, financial burden, necessary accommodations, or the many ways it affects individuals. Even among those who menstruate, experiences vary widely, yet many feel pressured to justify the intensity of their symptoms.
The installation。Period。 invites audiences of all genders and ages to engage with an unfiltered portrayal of menstruation, offering a visceral experience of what it looks and sounds like. The installation features real menstrual blood (self-sourced), projected as visuals, and amplified recordings of menstrual sounds captured through a close microphone because, yes, an intense period is audible. Audience may choose to watch, rest on a blanket marked with projected period blood, touch menstrual products like pads and tampons, and listen to the bodily rhythms of menstruation.
The artist has found solace in moments when others—upon seeing the volume of blood or hearing the sound of a uterus contracting—react with surprise at just how intense menstruation can be, especially with conditions like endometriosis. When 。Period。 was first exhibited in Brooklyn, New York (2024), audience members expressed heartfelt gratitude for shedding light on an often-overlooked experience. Many shared that the project made them feel seen, validated, and connected, reinforcing the need for greater awareness and solidarity around menstruation.
This piece seeks to challenge the expectation that those who menstruate must constantly justify their biological and emotional experiences. 。Period。aims to foster recognition, validation, and deeper empathy for a natural yet often dismissed reality.
Many thanks to for the chance to exhibit this piece (even sourcing a bed for this installation!!) and .music for the help with recording.
//Also thanks to those who bear with me for always talking/complaining about periods. I still hate it.
