Cherchez la femme
Guided Tour for Adults
The tour of the exhibition Cherchez la femme: Wig, Burqa, Wimple traces the roots of various dress codes for women, explains how religions have adopted them, and considers how women and girls can successfully navigate the tension between tradition and social inclusion.
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.
Chelgis, a sculpture by Mandana Moghaddam, 2002; courtesy of the artist, photo: Hossein Sehatlu
Where, when, what?
- When
31 March – 2 July 2017, by appointment
- Duration
1 hour
- Where
- Entry fee
60 euros (plus admission fee; one chaperon free of charge)
Information and Reservation
Education Department
phone: +49 (0)30 259 93 305
fax: +49 (0)30 259 93 412
groups@jmberlin.dePlease note
We can facilitate two groups in parallel.
Apparel and Fashion Vocational School
Fashion students from OSZ Bekleidung und Mode, located on nearby Kochstrasse, are exhibiting their modesty-themed models at W. M. Blumenthal Academy, across the street from the museum.
