Cherchez la femme

The male-centric gaze on the female body has repeatedly been at the center of public debates, such as the dispute over burkini bans on French beaches in the summer of 2016. Such controversies invite us to question how secular societies should treat religious and traditional ways of dress.

The roots of such dress codes, which were allegedly for the preservation of female decency but in fact served to restrain male desire, lie in the ancient Middle East. Even before the emergence of the Abrahamic religions, women’s dress was determined by their status. These rules, created by men, were adopted by all three religions and given religious interpretations; in some branches of Judaism and Islam, they still apply today. Many cultures consider a woman’s hair too intimate to be displayed in public to men outside the family. This perspective still guides how some Muslim and Jewish women dress—in a variety of styles, with a variety of motivations.

Through fabric, photographs, and digital media, the Cherchez la femme exhibition documents contemporary practices of religious attire and the everyday conflicts they pose for women.