The Pill (2021) delves into the profound cultural shift triggered by the FDA's approval of the contraceptive pill in May 1960, a milestone that arguably had a more significant impact on American society than any other drug in the nation's history. This groundbreaking development liberated women, enabling them to pursue careers, fueling the feminist and pro-choice movements, and fostering more open attitudes towards sex. The creation of the Pill was driven by an unlikely coalition of visionaries: two elderly female activists who, advocating for a contraceptive women could consume as easily as aspirin, financed the crucial scientific research; a devout Catholic gynecologist who championed the Pill as a natural form of birth control, believing that a healthy sex life was essential for a strong marriage; and a brilliant biologist who pushed a pharmaceutical company to risk a potentially crippling boycott to develop this revolutionary contraceptive. By focusing on the open pillbox and the woman's profile, The Pill encapsulates the formidable obstacles these pioneers faced, presenting a compelling narrative of a society in transition.

Q: Your work The Pill (2021) depicts early birth control pill advertisements. Could you talk about the background and inspiration behind this piece?

Tan Mu: This work was inspired by the early visual designs of birth control pill advertisements. The first birth control pills were often packaged in circular cases, resembling compact mirrors or makeup containers, with a month’s supply of pills arranged around the edge. This design was both practical and strategic. It made the pill easier to use while also presenting it as something familiar and socially acceptable, especially in public contexts.

The invention of the birth control pill marked a major turning point in women’s social identity, particularly from the 1960s through the 1970s. As feminist movements gained momentum, access to reliable contraception allowed women to exert greater control over reproduction. This shift played a crucial role in expanding women’s autonomy, enabling greater participation in the workforce and contributing to broader social change. Through this work, I wanted to reflect on how a seemingly small object could produce such profound transformations.

Q: Does this work connect to other pieces in your practice?

Tan Mu: Yes, The Pill is closely connected to other works I was developing at the time, including IVF and Embryo. These pieces all explore fertility and the technological regulation of life. From in vitro fertilization to hormonal contraception, technology has increasingly shaped how reproduction is controlled and understood. While IVF intervenes to assist conception, the birth control pill regulates fertility through chemical means.

Together, these works form a broader inquiry into how technological systems reshape human reproduction and social structures. The birth control pill was not only a scientific innovation but also a social revolution. It gave women unprecedented control over their reproductive lives and played a key role in advancing gender equality, from workplace participation to movements for equal pay. Looking back more than fifty years later, I see parallels between that moment and our current era, where emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and gene editing may bring equally profound social shifts. This work aims to document that historical transformation while encouraging reflection on how technology continues to redefine society.

Q: You’ve noted visual similarities between the birth control pill, logic circuits, and embryos. Could you explain this connection?

Tan Mu: Logic Circuit was created around the same period, and I became aware of the visual parallels between the circular design of the birth control pill, the structure of logic circuits, and the form of embryos. This resemblance intrigued me because it reveals an underlying connection between technology, biology, and human intervention. Hormonal regulation in birth control, information processing in circuits, and the earliest stages of life all involve systems of control, regulation, and transformation.

These visual echoes suggest that seemingly separate domains are deeply intertwined. Whether through chemical signals, electronic pathways, or biological processes, humans are continually intervening in natural systems. This overlap became a key point of reflection for me while creating the work, and it reinforces my broader interest in how technological forms mirror and reshape the structures of life itself.