A graphic novel memoir
An essay on gender
A report on violence against those who don't fit in
PHILOSOPHY OF NIPPLE is an autobiographical graphic novel that, based on a legal case, talks about gender, feminism and human rights. The work mixes poetic elements, photographs, documents, and allude to different thinkers of philosophy, feminist theory, gender and queer/cuir theory. A work by Vitorelo as an artist, semiotician and researcher.
The project was backed by ProAC, the Program of Cultural Action, Secretariat of Culture and Creative Economy, Government of the State of São Paulo.
PLOT
When Kael Vitorelo decided to have their breasts surgically removed in a procedure known as a masculinizing (or elective) mastectomy, they became stuck in a tortuous and exhausting bureaucratic and judicial process. In this book, they describe their experience as a non-binary transgender person, and exposes the Brazilian judicial system’s lack of preparation and violence towards those who do not fit the normative standard.
Transiting between different genres and languages (graphic novel, essay, autobiography), Vitorelo portrays the human body as a territory of constant mutations and disputes. A battlefield, but also a space for creation, invention, and new possibilities.
A work that manages to synthesize better than any theoretical book the challenges, pains and pleasures faced by a trans person in their struggle for existence.
Poetic and reflective. By mixing scribbles and collages, confessional and judicial, Vitorelo constructs a narrative that pushes boundaries and confronts society.
A necessary book about respect and love for our own bodies.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION
This audio description is an accessibility counterpart of the project, fully available for free. Audio description by Jupyra Carvalho.
CREDITS
STORY AND ILLUSTRATION
Kael Vitorelo
PRODUCTION
Lui Castanho
DESIGN
Kael Vitorelo
Lalo Sousa
SCRIPT CONSULTING
Lalo Sousa
AUDIO DESCRIPTION
Jupyra Carvalho
EDITORIAL DIRECTION
Rogério de Campos
Leticia de Castro
EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE
Guilherme Ziggy
Amanda Pickler
REVISION
Alyne Azuma
COVER ART BY
Kael Vitorelo
PHOTO BY
Danny Voir