Feminine: The feminist installation that shook Sulaimani
Project: Transitional Masculinity, Violence and Prevention
On the morning of October 26, 2020, the city of Sulaimani woke up to a bold artistic feminist statement: that violence against women is far more pervasive and comprehensive than acknowledged and that women’s bodies should be dissociated from shame. The installation, which was called Feminine, was composed of a 4,800-meter-long wash-line covered with the clothes of 99,678 Kurdish women survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Starting from Nali Park near the city centre, the clothesline hung between electricity poles through Salim Street, which is one of the busiest routes, all the way to the Courthouse. Hours after its launch, parts of the installation were set alight by young men who were “offended” by it. The rest of it was brought down to prevent a disaster and keep the peace. Feminine is the result of a long process of conceptualisation and execution by the young artist Tara Abdulla, with help from the Civil Development Organisation (CDO), which offered logistical support, covered expenses, and provided a team of volunteers.
Image credit: Civil Development Organization (CDO)
Related publications
Related Research
Transitional Masculinity, Violence and Prevention
Sex, Love and War
Men, Peace and Security
