Press Releases

Artwork and Activism for Afghan Women at Atlanta Gallery

February 2, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT
Voice: 626-676-7884
E-mail: info_at_afghanwomensmission.org

A collection of mixed media expressing an artist’s feelings about the Taliban’s oppression of women will be sold to benefit Afghan women beginning with a lecture by activist Eve Ensler and a sneak preview of the art on Tuesday, February 5th, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at 3Ten Haustudio, Atlanta, GA.

The show, called Thinly Veiled Misogyny, formally opens on Friday, February 8th from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m at 3Ten Haustudio. Proceeds will benefit the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, established in 1977 as an independent political and social organization of Afghan women fighting for human rights and social justice in Afghanistan.

“The issue for many women today is that the decision to veil is no longer a choice. Under these repressive regimes, the veil is used as a means of domination, submission, restraint and segregation,” says Hause.

Ensler, creator of The Vagina Monologues, speaks on her recent work with V-Day, a global movement to stop violence against women and girls, especially the oppressive elements of the Afghan society.

“If I’ve learned one thing,” Ensler said, “it would be this: The violation and desecration of women and the undermining of women is an indication of everything. It is the primary symptom of a civilization gone awry.”

Ensler traveled in Afghanistan in 2000 and witnessed the conditions firsthand. Since that time, V-Day has partnered with Afghan women working for change, education, and empowerment at the grassroots level inside Afghanistan and at nearby refugee communities.

Hause had a dream more than two years ago that led her to research women’s oppression under Taliban rule. Hause’s relationship with the women of RAWA helped to lend materials, images, and inspiration to her artwork. International media images of September 11th, such as images of Osama bin Laden, appear in Hause’s works, which were conceived and created well before those events.

The show opens again on Friday February 8th with a special performance by recording artist Michelle Malone. Malone was recently awarded Atlanta Magazine’s Album of the Year award for “Hello Out There,” released in 2001 on the artist’s own SBS Records label. Malone, who is very generous with her time and talents on local and national levels, also understands the importance of reaching out internationally.

“We are all faced with the responsibility to perpetuate the well-being of one another,” said Malone. “We are all at risk when anyone faces oppression…it affects everyone.”

Thinly Veiled Misogyny, which will be on exhibit through March 31st, will be on display and available for purchase. The Imperial Fez restaurant will donate food for the Feb. 5th event. Attendees of both events will have an opportunity to try on burqas provided by RAWA. There is no entrance fee; however, a $10 donation to benefit RAWA is suggested. 3Ten Haustudio is located at 310 Peters St.

A STATEMENT FROM EVE ENSLER

“When I saw the beautiful and poignant imagery in Diane Hause’s artwork, I knew she had that deeper understanding of the relevance of the situation of the women in Afghanistan to the issue of violence against women in the world. If I’ve learned one thing, it would be this: The violation and desecration of women and the undermining of women is an indication of everything. It is the primary symptom of a civilization gone awry.

“Where is the next Afghanistan? People said years ago that there was trouble brewing in Afghanistan, just by looking at women’s problems there. I think Afghanistan is everywhere. I hate to say it, but I think if we do not really address what is going on with women on this planet — that one out of three women in the world will be raped and battered — it’s basically gender oppression. There is not a country in the world right now where the kind of violation that is going on to women is not out of control. I’m talking epidemic.

“We urge you to help people understand that the time of women has come; that our rights can no longer be denied. That what we value must become manifest and that the violence has to end. That when some women are hurt on this planet, all women and all men are hurt because Afghanistan is everywhere.”

RAWA: www.rawa.org
V-Day: www.vday.org
Hause’s website: www.haustudio.com, or call 404-524-6541.

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