A-Resonances: Visual Representations of the Asexual Experience

The most adopted definition of asexuality is simple — does not experience sexual attraction. In reality, however, people who identify as asexual are a very heterogeneous group, and more recognition and representation of this variety is needed. Through the analysis of existing asexual visual representations, this thesis proposes that new opportunities are arising for more nuanced representations that acknowledge the diversity of the asexual experience and help others further understand what asexuality can be. A small-scale qualitative visual study was conducted to extract symbolic visual elements of online asexual communities. Drawing from those elements, two projects and one experiment were undertaken to explore how visual communication tactics can be used to bring forth more nuanced asexual representations. Two projects propose to associate a broadened understanding of asexuality with the diverse asexual experience in visual representations: Andy Warhol is Aro Ace situates asexual possibilities in a broader cultural and historical context through visual storytelling; and #intimAces interprets common physical interactions from an asexual perspective, linking asexual/nonsexual intimacy with symbols of asexuality. An experiment of symbol-making for asexual spectrum identities seeks clarifications of the specific definitions, leading to a discussion around identity segmentation and the role of design to bring more fluidity. This thesis concludes by suggesting an inclusion of more nuances and possibilities of asexuality for future asexual visibility and education.