The Veil from South to South is a participative art project whose main objective is to decolonize the meaning of the veil (for the purpose of this project defined as a head cover that may or may not necessarily cover the face) and redefine it after a personal experience with the object itself, framed within a direct dialogue between nations of the global South.
Our proposal seeks to (re)formulate the meaning of the veil by providing an opportunity to have direct spontaneous interaction with the material and accessory: a physical exploration of the item, photographing oneself wearing it and finally reflecting on its significance by answering the question “What does the veil mean to you?” in writing.
This work was born out of the need to put into circulation definitions that arise from direct personal sensory experiences as opposed to those formed by passively assimilating official Western rhetoric. South to South refers to engaging in a dialogue between people of Southern nations without having to go through the filter of Hollywood films, French philosophers, British writers or Spanish journalists. The idea is to have the conversation with each other firsthand through the object.
The experience has uncovered a new, fresh and curious perception of the veil, as is evidenced by the comments and expressions of the participants in the photographs below. In this way our project contributes to the decolonization of items upon which extreme meanings foreign to the origin and true practice of the object itself have taken hold.
How was your concept of the veil formed?
How many people do you know who wear one?
After trying it on:
What does the veil mean to you?
The veil is an opportunity that women have to feel protected and safe. Margarita.
The veil has opposite meanings, as a person (woman) foreign to its use I have it set aside. I think it touches on extremes, it could be freedom or oppression, but never a symbol for discrimination.
The veil is a cultural representation with different uses and forms. The veil can hide a being but the being´s shine will make the veil disappear and give more value to that being. Claudia.
The veil is identity. It can be an accessory, flirty. But also at times it has been an imposition, Iran. An option. An understanding. Dissertation on freedom, modesty not as a defect, but as vindication. Paula.
Seems to me like a it´s a practical and functional accessory. Seems to me like a survival object (against sun, cold, wind, with multiple uses) and it disturbs me that it has negative connotations considering all its benefits. Aldo.
It´s to cover my sensuality. Protect my femininity. CONNECT to my spirituality. Carla.
The veil can be EQUALITY. The veil could generate Fraternity.
I would like to have a party with veils because I like the colors. Abril.
it´s colorful and pretty and useful for many things and it´s soft. Tristan
for me the veil is a cloth that you put on your head, it calms you and covers your hair. lou arp
An accessory that can highlight the feminine and sensual. But also in other cultures it could be something that hides a woman´s beauty and freedom. Yuri.
The veil was used by my grandmother when she got married and when my grandfather died. Pit Prieto
The veil is something that covers, until you get to know your inner self will you be able to lift the veil. San Fl
A colorful frame. Nini Bravo
safety safety extension of my personality the refuge under which I can be myself. the ability to live expressing who I am without hiding it. living my faith. helena zahib
It´s an identity, an image belonging to a country, to a community, a symbol of beauty, as well as repression, femininity and oppression in a single object. Brenda
To me the veil is a part that defines your personality and like a way to see through it with a different colored perspective Lilia Montes de Oca.
At the moment I feel freedom and joy. Opportunity to see the road that´s in the fourth dimension. Teodoro Andrés
