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The Womb on Wheels: A Lecture, Performance & Installation
April 5th, 2008

Big Orbit
30d Essex Street, Buffalo, NY
April 5th, 2008 at 8pm

The Womb on Wheels is a traveling installation promoting the possible scenario of a future where the female body is no longer necessary to bear children. Artist Anne Muntges will perform a critical/ satirical lecture as the character June Pickford, creative consultant for Pickford Labs. Pickford Labs is responsible for inventing the Artificial Uterine Container (AUC), which allows for anyone to have access to the technology to grow a fetus outside the female body. The lecture, installation and AUC are intended to stimulate a dialogue surrounding female reproductive issues and the role that scientific and technological advancements play in the debate. The Womb on Wheels project was created in support of Anne Muntges’ MFA Thesis and is supported by the University at Buffalo Visual Studies Program.

There will be a repeat performance of the lecture and installation at 7pm on April 5th at Big Orbit Gallery.

For more information please contact the Artist at:

amuntges@gmail.com
www.portablefetus.com

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The Objective: The objective of our derive was to create a new way of seeing the experiencing of traveling “on foot” through campus by injecting fun, spontaneity and reward into it. To achieve this we created a ten-foot long race in the pathway between the Lockwood Library and the Student Union. The space is a somewhat unavoidable path that students and faculty commute through. With the help of spectators holding signs like “You’re Almost There” and “GO”, a finish line and an air horn we were able to entice people walking by to “race” through the course and cross our finish line to win.

Did we break any rules? In order to help some of the participants understand the purpose of the disruption we had to “inspire” a few races by using some of our volunteers to start a race or two. We also had to communicate verbally to a few people the purpose of the race so that they would understand the concept a little better and feel more comfortable with the race. Otherwise we stuck pretty much to the agenda we had set forth.

Things Unexpected: Some of the things we ran across that were unexpected were in dealing with our space. In the original design the race space was not clearly defined. Some of the participants were weaving through it and avoiding the course. In order to control the space more we had to mark off the area better so that it was easier for people to read and completely unavoidable. If someone needed to enter that space they were going to have to race.
The Successes: The fulfilling aspect of this project was that in the end the original objective was obtained. We were able to inject a sense of spontaneity and fun into a space that is otherwise left alone. Everyone who participated in it left the space with a smile or sense of accomplishment that was reinforced by the rewarding of a trophy if they had crossed the finish line first. There was even a spectator crowd that viewed the derive with cheerful faces. And since the participants had fun we the creators were also allowed to enjoy ourselves.

Improvements: The thing that was most difficult about this derive is that the time we did this at was a bit of a slow time. The amount of people traveling through the space was little, making it somewhat difficult at times to get the race going. If we were to enact this again it would have to be performed at a time of day that had more people in the space. In addition to this it might also be helpful to have more spectators with a wider gender spread. For our purposes it was predominately male, which may or may not have scared away some potential racers. If there had been a better balance the space might have been a bit more inviting.

New Behaviors: For the creators and volunteers, it was interesting to watch the progressive comfort zone that occurred with us in the space. As the races happened we all became more comfortable with the dynamic of the project and it projected itself onto how we dealt with the participants and the action of the race. As for the people walking by it went as expected for the most part. The only new behavior that was observed is that some people were so uncomfortable with this disruption that they actually walked around the buildings to avoid our roadblock. It was interesting to see the concerned faces of people as they realized that there was a strange block in their usually path.

What is it? This kit is unlike anything out there on the market to date. It is a “Grow Your Own Baby” kit that will allow you, the user, to create an artificial womb baby without the hassle of incubating it in your body. No stretch marks or weight gain to worry about. It is a wonderful chance to learn about fetus growth in utero by watching it happen on your own kitchen table. That’s not all there is though. The fetus that is growing is not just some set of genes combined for this fun science kit. They are your own. Inside of this kit is a do it yourself in vitro fertilization kit that allows you to combine your genes with a partners genes to make a fetus that is uniquely your own. No other on the earth will be like it.

Why is it necessary? This kit will offer an opportunity that has never been seen before. It neutralizes the gender inequality that is ever present in the reproduction act by eliminating the incubation phase of fetus growth in a female body. Now fetus growth is accessible to both partners. It is a project that can be experienced by multiple people at the same time without the hassle of in body incubation. The product is easily visible in all stages of its development.

How is this entertaining? Science is a culturally entertaining facet. Watching things develop and grow is something that is neurologically stimulating for any age. How many of us had our own sea monkey kits? This product works on those same lines. It allows for a nine months of product development and entertainment that can be enjoyed by people of any age, race and gender.

How does it work? Since this is still in a development stage, I will do the best I can, as long as you keep in mind that there are still some developments to work out.
1.There must be two partners (male and female) who are willing to participate so that their genetic material may be extracted through the do it yourself in vitro fertilization kit. This procedure will be described in great detail in the instructions. 2. The genetic material is combined for 2-4 days until a successful combination has been made. 3. These genes are injected into the artificial womb provided in the kit.
4. The womb is carefully submerged into a nutrition solution jar and sealed so that no things can effect the development of the product. The nutrition solution is a constant feeder to the product for the duration of the nine-month incubation.
5. Materials are left alone for nine months so proper gestation can occur. Participants are encouraged to watch record all the fun things that happen during this duration. 6. At the end of the nine-month period the product is birthed and may be used as the creators desired. The included literature will offer several solutions, such as organ exploration, but each individual may do, as they like because it is their own unique creation.

Who is this made for?
1. Age: Any age over 14, because both participants must be of mature age in order to contribute the genetic material needed to make the product.
2. Occupation: Any, it will be marketed to an open audience
3. Education: As long as you can read the instructions you are more than welcome to participate in the production of this project.
4. Region: The American market is the initial target. Based on how it does in this demographic it may grow to European countries as well.
5. Where: This is designed for home use, so the people who use it must have a stable environment for at least nine months during development because the product has to remain relatively undisturbed during that period.

Who is distributing this? This toy is distributed solely through JP Toys and Games, a company that currently operates through the web only.