1st November 2006 | Uncompleted
Veiling
religion, privacy, modesty and security
-- / --
****************
Hijab:
argued the point at somewhat greater length in a more general piece
Politicization of Evidence in the Plastic Turkey Era
al-Qaida, Saddam, Assassination and the Hijab
at this pointhttps://www.laetusinpraesens.org/docs00s/plastic.php#d
I like the complementarity of hijab (eyes free) and sunglasses
(anything else exposed) and the play on separation and cleavage.
As to the ancient dieties, I also like the fact that there is actually
a potentially serious legal issue with the official recognition by
modern Greece of ancient religions (see http://homepage.mac.com/dodecatheon/ and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Olympians)
-- the question is
whether a Hermes scarf is a symbol of the religion, or taking the name
of a deity in vain!
What fun if the name of every deity has been used on branded apparel.
If I was Hermes, etc I could be a bit worried. Ever see John Cleese in
the Man Who Sued God? And what about all the pagan religious symbols
people wear? Maybe the neopagans could have a class action suit.
Such a shame that European women did not put on a hijab in mass protest -- maybe the Muslims should hand them out as a dare. In the same class as nude sit-ins and the Danes wearing the Star of David in protest against the Nazis
Deities and branding
Match database of deities against branded products
Provocations
Apologies for getting carried away -- I once had the opportunity to let off steam in a commssioned article on Liberating Provocations: use of negative and paradoxical strategies (https://www.laetusinpraesens.org/musings/provoc.php). The editor was nearly fired!
Privacy
Many are familiar with the living hell which famous people experience in trying to avoid recognition in public, especially by paparazzi. For those exposed to the press as witnesses, or accused in a trial in which they may be proven innocent, the same challenge exists. And not to be forgotten are the shy, or those with facial disfigurements which attract unwelcome comment. In some contexts, this may simply be people of different ethnic groups. And with the increase in electronic surveillance in public places, many may want ways to move around in public with a sense of privacy.
acne
neorusis
shyness
Diana
Disguise
This suggestion is for those who genuinely wish not to be recognized. Disguising the face in public has been the subject of attention in times past, from veils to ceremonial masks, and including the helmets worn for protection in hand-to-hand combat by warriors -- or the balaclava masks worn by special forces (and terrorists). In modern society it tends to be only those driving potentially dangerous vehicles that use such devices, as is the case with motor cycle riders. But high tech cops also make use of the silvered variety, partially to intimidate. In many cultures, veils are still worn -- usually by women (as in Islamic cultures) but in some cases by men (Touaregs).
But aside from these examples, those who claim real need do not have access to any suitable device, other than chic dark glasses. Prisoners may have a blanket thrown over their head by the police, which is rather primitive and undignified for the 1990s. What is needed is a convenient piece of headgear, which would be a hybrid between veil, mask and helmet that could be easily folded up -- like a veil. It needs to look reasonably fashionable but fairly anonymous -- like dark glasses. Some variants need to be resistant to being brushed aside -- like a silvered helmet, which has the considerable advantage of reflecting flashlight back to the photographer and protecting the eyes of the wearer.
Clearly such headgear could be developed both by the fashion industry -- possibly as an add-on to hats -- and/or by the safety industry as a very light weight helmet. But possibly those developing masks for carnivals could also offer variants -- maybe as coloured clip-ons, as with some fashion spectacles. Islamic countries might have special advantages given the particular needs of their women. Maybe the Australian bobbing-cork anti-fly hats could offer some inspiration. High tech freaks could explore battery powered variants with flashing lights and shifting moire patterns!
Such devices could initially have an image problem that the fashion industry could quickly deal with -- since there are tremendous market opportunities. What is needed is a good name to launch the innovation. It is a pity that Princess Diana, possibly a prime beneficiary, could not have lent her persona to the device -- which might have been named after her (except she never went in for silvered window cars).
But for starters "apaparazzi mask" might do. But maybe "veil of discretion". Or perhaps "Medusa mask"? It will be interesting to observe the motives for opposing such an innovation, especially by those in the security world -- and by those who only like to complain that they are pestered by the paparazzi, but actually live for that attention!
Religious practice
Armstrong
Nuns in mask
Masked religious celbrants
Appropriation by religion
Deities
- Allah underwear and shoes?
- Jesus trainers
can we create a religioon and then choose products as symbols which others are then not freee to wear -- pre-emptive ensymbolment (as with patenting)
how recognized does a religion have to be before
- others cannot wear what it defines as symbols
- adherents cannot wear those symbols as a mark of their religion
Separation and togetherness
clothing as a factor of separation
- Ties -- Greening of America
- suit as a "mask"
- Cleavage
- Sunglasses -- Ray Bans
- Tie vs cleavage
Apartheid
different kindsof distance -- proxemics -- touching (or its absence) by culture
poker face
chat rooms, avatars
courtesy smile
like skin colour -- except clothing
how much make-up constitutes a mask
carnival masks
masked ball -- Venice
Lordi mask
branding criminals
Star of David -- Muslim handouts
incvremental closeness with cleavage -- cleave to me
Democratic deficit
police helmets
bureaucrats on telephone -- masking
parliamentary candidates campaigning in the nude -- job interviews, debates
masking of justice
cold calling
call centres
marketing
Security dimension
- hooded
- CCT
- bureaucrats avoid recrimination
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