First Impressions of Sex

When experiencing sex, issues of hygiene should rarely be at the forefront of our minds (or bodies). But when an outside object is entering the body, there are issues of hygiene. Due to sexual arousal, excitement, anticipation and on the other hand love, trust and relationships, we'd be prepared to forego hygiene and not think about it as an invasion of our body. Being aware of this allows the opportunity for tangible design to celebrate this knowledge within sexual experiences, rituals and routines. From speaking to people in reserach, about past sexual experience and what people found memorable and important about a good sexual experience, only the surrounding elements of the penetrative intercourse were spoken about.

First Impressions of Sex is a series of objects, simulative of a sexual experience. The experience of sex is broken down into it's surrounding elements, excluding the act of a physical penetration of the body. Sexual excitement is heightened by watching one another through a partial barrier which the objects are passed between. By watching one another use specific objects on themselves, you can learn about one anothers body, or rediscover.

The overall experience of sex is now changed into a more even series of events. Foreplay, intercourse, and post climax are the three main elements of sexual experience, with the most time or importance being held on the penetrative act of intercourse. The experience is now changed into the gentle phase, the aggresive phase and the comfort phase, which objectify interactions within each element of the sexual experience. In inability to touch one another forces focus on the explicit meaning of each object.

The middle phase of aggresion is about leaving impressions on the body, lasting physical reminders of that stage, giving importance to the lack of penetration, but the impression of a physical touch.

The Foreplay Objects

a massage tool, wooden silicon coated balls simulate the feeling of the ball of the human hand. The handle is polished smooth with beeswax so it is pleasant to hold.

a hair tugging tool, also made from polished beeswax wood, the latex coated fingers run through hair, sticking and lightly grabbing at it.

a stroke tool which has cold metallic balls which spread out over the skin, gently tingling.

The Aggresion Objects

a grab tool, the curvature of the solid copper brace forces a hard pressure on the skin, with a sudden cold sensation, which gradually warms to the body.

a biting tool, also made from cold sudden copper metal, clamps down onto the skin, leaving sharp marks indented into the skin.

a scratch tool leaves hard, lasting marks down the skin. The handle is left unfinished so it is rough to the touch to symbolise it's use.

The Comfort Objects

a breathing tool simulates a partners heavy breath after breaking, post sex.

a rub tool, a soft satin cushion to simulate a partners palm running over the skin

a hug tool, a bean filled soft lycra cushion which wraps around the body like a partners arms. The palms are made from skin like leather which warm to touch.

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