Abstract
“I’m really interested in social justice, and if an artist has a certain power of being heard and voicing something important, it’s right to do it. It could still be done in such a way that it’s not aggressive or overly didactic. I’m trying to find that form.” - Shirin Neshat (2002) This MDP investigates systems of veiling in urban spaces, both as a site, and as a way of seeing space – with particular focus towards the way in which such veiling surfaces contribute to spatial states of power, oppression, and resistance. Here, architectural tools are proposed as investigative devices to unveil, and reveal the underlying forms, and practices in which the veil is exploited for in post-colonial cities. The research unveils a series of hauntings of colonial deep pasts and highlights the oppressive nature of a double standard system within the French hijab ban of 2021, viewing the context through African post-colonial theory. This research project explores the parallels of the religious and political doctrine of the veil within public space. With the intent of exposing notions of veiled forms of oppression by examining the agency of the two when the veil is given agency of site, questioning the status quo of the religious and political institute upon this supersurface, and its implications within the spatial realm. This project assumes a concentrated interest in forms of ‘othering’ and systematic control of ‘the other’ - arguably produced in very exaggerated forms in the French Hijab Ban of 2021, drawing on and embedding its roots throughout histories of segregation and oppression, as closely detectable as within the South African segregated legislations of the 20th century, which still remain revenant in these contexts. One might show that the originator (wearer of the veil) of the veiled gaze is positioned with increased states of power and that the ‘searched object’ for the gaze generates a “sense of frustration and desire” (Balasescu 2015:50). Through these critical approaches, the project looks to articulate the territories of power, toward the viewer or the subject being looked at. This project seeks to advocate for a larger spatial commentary with the aim of generating a new definition and understanding of the power relations that exist within public space, unveiling all instances of veiled oppressions through subject matters of the body and surface within various situations. The project will investigate systems of racial and gender segregation in Johannesburg, unpacking the veiling and unveiling of power and segregation, produced with semblance studies with the evident protest struggle of the hijabed form. This will be unpacked through the study of the French Ban in Paris. These frames are used to develop an understanding through spatial vocabulary, and counter-tactics adopted to claim freedom attributed by veiled surfaces; of the body and architecture in an urban environment. This body of work uncovers and dissects the agency of the veil. The project speaks through the multiplicity of the veil in literal terms as well as figurative terms. The research explores the notions of veiling in public spaces towards the female body. This work highlights the Muslim figure as its specimen series. The explorations dealt with and studied, allows for the understanding and deconstruction of feminine dress wear, cultural stereotypes, political manipulations and ideologies to be redrafted and relooked at. The research seeks to become the agency of the veil spatially and argues for a safe space for all female figures wanting to be at ease, not judged, not been forced, etc. to be allocated. The work unmasks the authoritative positioning a male body subjugates the female figure into. The Mashribiya is the an ancient architectural element which both acts as a screening device for separation of the male and female character as well as aids in locality of placing and ventilation of a space. This wooden lattice design has been reconstructed throughout the final segment of work, deconstructing the chosen site through its apertures. This architectural study along with the study of the female positioning,identity and stereotypes have been addressed in several acts and narratives. This project draws on the notions of architectural apertures and designs along with Islamic dresswear,being the burqa and purdah, and other architectural and feminine dresswear and manners related to the female body and concept of veiling. The project proposes new forms towards the female figure which seek to express, represent and empower the image of the female body in public space.
M.Tech. (Architecture)