Shirin Neshat’s work to me is rather powerful, her photographs of Islamic women in particular. By covering these women with Arabic text she shows how these women are not only a significant part of that culture, but how that culture is also a significant part of them. Islamic cultures have been male-dominated for many years and the women have often taken a back seat. The Arabic text that covers or sometimes blankets the skin and bodies of these women is a very stark image. For me it symbolizes how restrictive Islamic cultures, especially that of her native Iran, have been for women because the writing in many of the pictures conceals or obscures the identities of the women behind it. I think she is also trying to say with the Arabic text that this culture is a large part of who these women are because the writing is part of their bodies.
Perhaps she is also saying that, since most of these women’s bodies are covered by clothing, and the part that isn’t is covered by Arabic writing, that when we look at Islamic women we tend to see the religion first and foremost instead of seeing the people behind it. We just see the restrictions; we don’t really see the people being restricted. Although the article from The Iranian was posted in December 1997, I think it is really interesting to consider her work and its renewed relevancy in a post-9/11 world. After the attacks on that day, the amount of prejudice against Arabs and Muslims skyrocketed. For many people the burka became a symbol of Islamic restrictions on women, and the focus shifted to what was perceived as the problems of Islam instead of the Islamic people themselves. Especially in the United States, many of the women wearing the burkas choose to do so, but that this is a choice is ignored simply because of anti-Islamic sentiment. So while I understand that the images also must have been powerful when originally published and should be considered as such, to me they have taken on a strong second meaning in our post-9/11 society.
I chose that picture because to me it signifies how women have been typically silenced in their culture, but her slightly open mouth seems to portray that she is ready to speak out.
I think your point about us seeing their religion first is really interesting. I never thought of that point, but I can see where that would be true. I also think the Arabic text adds to the overall images, but I see it more as a mystery. Since the text is in Arabic, most people here obviously cannot read it. I think this adds a sense of mystery to the pieces because these people usually leave their personal lives as such a mystery that this is exposing them, but still leaving that lack of complete knowledge.
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