All Photos By Gail
The Burkini is an amalgamation of two different garments: the Burqa, a garment covering the face and body worn by Muslim women, and the two-piece Bikini bathing suit. Australian designer Aheda Zanetti designed the Burkini — trademarking it as the Burqini — in the early 2000’s to help her niece participate in school sports and beach culture, while adhering to Islamic modesty tenets.
All Photos By Gail
Lenticular Printing is a technology in which lenticular lenses (a technology that is also used for 3D displays) are used to produce printed images with an illusion of depth, or the ability to change or move as the image is viewed from different angles (Thanks, Wikipedia!). This print by French artist Cecile Plaisance, appropriately entitled Burqa Red Dress (2014) depicts a Barbie Doll who appears to be wearing a Red Party Dress when viewed from off to one side, but switches to the same doll wearing a Burqa when viewed from straight on.
The visible lines in these photo are due to my camera being unable to accurately capture the optical effect, and are not owed to any flaws in the artwork. Found in the booth for the Paris-based Galerie Envie d’Art at the Affordable Art Fair (going on now in NYC through Sunday, March 29th at the Metropolitan Pavilion) Burqa Red Dress (in an edition of 8 pieces) sells for $9,500.