The Speculum Project
Monument to What? at Project Art Space New York, NY August 30 - October 7, 2016
The Speculum Project includes four different kinds of vaginal speculums, engraved with quotes from Dr. J. Marion Sims’ writings and lectures along with a text-based slide show on the history.
3 Speculums. Display case # 1 with etched quotes from Dr. J. Marion Sims’ writings
"Everything Ready to Commence the season of philosophical experiment"
"Introducing the bent handle of the spoon I saw what no man had ever seen!"
“This position permits the use of anesthetics if desired but I never resort to them in these operations because they are not painful enough.
3 Speculums. Display case # 2 with etched quotes from Dr. J. Marion Sims’ writings
"Everything Ready to Commence the season of philosophical experiment"
"If the Vagina and outlet are ordinarily capacious a good strong northern light of a clear day from a large solitary window is sufficient."
“The handle is made strong and unyielding because a considerable degree of leverage has to be exercised by it the curve being cushioned to prevent its hurting the forefinger."
In Monument to What ? The Institute for Wishful Thinking addressed the history behind the Central Park monument to Dr. J. Marion Sims, which had been the subject of calls for removal beginning in 2015 due to the ethically problematic foundation of Sims’ practice. Participants in Monument to What ? discussed the impact of the Sims’ monument on the community, considering the social and cultural contexts and human stories behind medical advances, particularly those that impact the poor, people of color and women. The Central PArk Monument was finally removed on April 17, 2018.
Montgomery, Alabama. Still standing in 2025
Columbia, South Carolina. Ordered permanently removed by the State Legislature July 2023
Central Park, New York. Removed April 17, 2018