"How could a 'subject' become actively involved in the creation of a representation? What use, if any, would all this serve in the meanings offered in the final presentation?" (Luvera, A; 2006)
Ribeiro's project "To Me, Taboo" explores the subject of menstruation and the varying effects it has on generations of women. Her work is made collaboratively, similarly to Luvera, but with women of different generations to depict how periods and its side effects can affect each person distinctly. Ribeiro has taken inspiration from Luvera who, since 2002, has been producing a collaborative series titled "Photographs and Assisted Self-Portraits" in which he encourages the subject to take control of the project and direct / photography what they deem important. To develop her idea further she incorporates products such as pads, tampons, and patient information leaflets and its list of side effects attached to medications such as the contraceptive pill. Ribeiro has also collected several voice recordings from women, ranging from 20 to 80 years old, discussing how menstruation affects them as individuals through personal anecdotes. She took both a collaborative and documentative approach to this project by allowing individuals to be heard through her images and audio aspects. The project aims to expose the raw aspects of menstruation that is often neglected and labelled 'taboo' by the media and allow for all viewers to go through a sense of self-reflection regarding the topic. The title is a play on words (To me, to you) as the subject of menstruation used to be seen as a very taboo topic to discuss in public; in some cultures, traditions or rituals it still is.
