INSPIRATION

Over four centuries, thousands of women were subjected to the wearing of a mask for torture that was invented in Britain at the end of 14th century. The main principle behind the scold’s bridle was: ‘Let the woman be silent in the presence of the male’. It was primarily used on women who agitated the male-dominated society of the era. This mask was a device used to control, humiliate and punish gossiping, troublesome women by effectively gagging them. Also, commonly used by hus- bands on their nagging or swearing wives.

ABOUT THE PROJECT:

Based on recent data, it is estimated that 35 percent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or sex- ual violence by a non-partner (not including sexual harassment) at some point in their lives. However, some national studies show that up to 70 per cent of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime.

As modern civilized people we have not yet adjusted our minds to blend the dualism between male and female, and civilized and primitive. With a soft, blurred language, and a marginal mind we are still torturing each other. This binary thinking and the illusion of the dominance that power of politics and culture impose on our minds potentiates violence against innocent victims of gender, race, and etc.

By redesigning the torture mask, this project conceptualizes a symbolic space of solitary that is constantly reflected on us as an outgrowth of binary think- ing. “Mask of Shame” is a representation that “torture” is, not being able to see/be seen and not being able to talk/be heard. Torture is the shrinkage of pub- lic sphere an act of humiliation by detachment. It is being conscious of the separation of our inner self and our communicative functions from the outside world. No matter how soft the boundary is and how delicately and deceivingly these margins are detaching human beings, as long as it forces privatization of wills, it is a torture.