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A lot of noise has been raised in the feminist and Muslim communities over the art of Makan Emadi and the appearance of a new “misogynistic male fantasy”: Veil Fetish
The Art of Makan Emadi
Makan Emadi immigrated to America form Iran, at the age of 14. Lately he’s created some art that has raised a few eyebrows. His series of paintings called Islamic Erotica depict Muslim women, with their traditional garb, in pinup positions, with high-heeled legs showing. Emadi has inflamed with his artistic concept as well, saying:
“Representation of the female body in art is forbidden in strict Islamic tradition, and is therefore taboo in today’s Muslim cultures. To imagine Western art without the nude is, in contrast, impossible. These paintings revisit Western tradition of "pinup" art and its loving contribution to the objectification of women through overexposure and unnatural posing of the female model. The sexism of the East is more direct, and is most apparent in its mandated repressive female clothing. By combining these seemingly contradictory traditions, I saw a humorous but nightmarish vision of a possible future in the Middle East as globalization and American democracy continue to dominate."
Assessing a New Trend - Veil Fetish
The term Vail Fetish was Coined By Muslimah Media Watch. First off, I want to say that I have a lot of respect for the women of Muslimah Media Watch and I think they bring up extremely valid points. All women should be aware of the way they are portrayed in the media and the context in which many of these photos have appeared is disturbing, to say the least, and a full-on hate-crime, to say the most. I understand how they could construed this as degrading (ever notice how my ethnic/age group is depicted in the media? ;) ), however, I have a different point of view, as I have a great respect for the important role of fantasy, in our lives and throughout history.
Men Have Incredible Sexual Imagination
I’m giving props to the men who invented all these crazy sexual stereotypes, that don’t need a face, just an outfit: The school-girl, the teacher, Santa’s mistress, Cat woman, the bunny, the cheerleader, the french maid, the sexy police officer, the cow-girl, the country-girl, the Bavarian maid, the sexy executive… you get the picture ;)
All these images were conjured up by people who had enough time and good humor to find sexy in anything that moved. Do these images perpetuate misogynistic stereotypes? Possibly. But there’s a long way between fantasy and reality, the only link, as I can tell, is the former stems from the latter. (The Harry Potter fetish is as new to me as the Veil fetish.)
Reality Brought to Fantasy
The women of Muslimah Media Watch and their readers agree that because the women’s faces, in these images, are covered, this is a degrading, sexualizing phenomena. I believe that it’s just an unfortunate part of reality, that was brought to fantasy, and now, is being completely misunderstood.
The war in Iraq was most probably the sparker for this newest addition to stereotypical fantasy. As Americans were, all of a sudden, exposed to these images, a curiosity emerged about this “strange” culture of Arabics and Muslims (connecting the two as inseparable, not to mention completely ignoring the different manifestations of the culture, is one of the problems in this fantasy). The images are telling, but I don’t think they’re any different from other fetish costumes, it’s just the politics surrounding them, at this time. The images picture beauty and seduction, the eyes are usually stunning, and it makes me think, sexy isn’t just tits.
Welcoming a New Pinup to The Pinup Blog
As is probably obvious, at this point, that I’m all for the newest sexual stereotype. I’m at awe with these images, I think they’re marvelous and probably no different from these:
I guess I’m just a neo-hippy that believes you should make love and not war. And while you’re at it, you should warship the amazing human form, because it’s a beautiful thing.
On a totally different note, I'm very interested in what Arab and Muslim men think about these images. So if any of my readers belong to these groups, please, let everyone know.
Picture links in order of appearance:
- http://www.makangallery.com/Gallery.htm
- http://muslimahmediawatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/oooh-baby-put-it-on-ripping-up-veil.html
- http://www.3wishes.com/
- http://howcool.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=41_1414
- http://www.comiccavern.com/blogs/index.php?cat=57
- http://www.epilogue.net/cgi/database/art/view.pl?id=39175
- http://www.emuseumstore.com/product/pinups_sister_benedicte_emmett/new_gift_items
- http://www.spirithalloween.com/couples-costumes/sexy-nun-costume/
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5 comments:
Brilliant work. Thanks for that Tali. Really good stuff.
I myself belong to both groups. Arab and Muslim. But I was born and raise in South East Asia.
I'll give my take on the images as soon as.
|Thank you :)
This article has been included in the latest edition of Mom's Blogging Carnival
Thank you for such a thoughtful post! I just discovered your blog, and I really appreciate the fun and cheese along with the intelligence and social awareness (as presented by posts like this).
Oh Ashe,
1 comment like this is worth it all :)
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