To this day, the experience of growing up in central and eastern Europe is marked by political systems dominated by men, sexist stereotypes, strict beauty standards, and religious expectations. Zula Rabikowska’s documentary project, Nothing But a Curtain, delves into the themes of womanhood and gender identity in these regions.
Rabikowska was motivated to undertake this project due to her personal experiences as a Polish immigrant in London. She was disheartened by the stereotypical portrayals of eastern Europe in English-speaking media, which often focused on images of babushka hats, snow, communist-era architecture, poverty-stricken landscapes, and rural environments. Determined to offer a fresh perspective, Rabikowska sought to showcase contemporary central and eastern Europe in a different light.
In collaboration with individuals born after the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Rabikowska captured the stories of those who have grown up in post-communist Europe. Despite more than three decades having passed since the end of communism, these regions continue to be portrayed as a homogeneous and unrecognizable mass. Rabikowska aimed to challenge these recurring stereotypes, particularly in light of recent events such as the war in Ukraine and the resurgence of nationalist, xenophobic, misogynistic, homophobic, transphobic, and militaristic ideologies both within and outside the former eastern bloc.
Rabikowska used a Kiev 80 analogue format camera, which was produced by a military factory in Kiev dating back to 1978. The camera’s unique shutter effect created a symbolic “curtain” of light in the images, reminiscent of the influence of Soviet history on gender identity and womanhood in post-communist Europe.
The project took Rabikowska on a journey of more than 5,000 miles along the former iron curtain border, using public transport to visit 20 cities across Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. She interviewed and photographed 104 individuals, focusing on women, as well as non-binary, gender fluid, and transgender people.
While the project presented numerous challenges, such as navigating solo travel with heavy equipment and facing sexism and concerns for personal safety, Rabikowska’s determination and passion drove her forward. She aimed to challenge the prevailing narratives about eastern Europe and shed light on the diverse experiences and identities of the people living in these regions.
The Nothing But a Curtain project will be exhibited at the Four Corners Gallery in London from October 10-14, with the private view on Thursday, October 12. This project was made possible through the support of the Mead Fellowship, Getty Images, and the Kuala Lumpur Photo Awards, highlighting its significance and impact in the art world.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
