Arab dolls.
Carlo Massoud @ The Armory Show Design Satellite, 2015
curated by Maria Cristina Didero
Each figures adapt the concept of covering and concealing to a new function, material and scale. from within, the ‘arab dolls’ express a sense of discretion and mystery, while still asserting individuality in their regimented presentation. collectively, the dolls, like arab women stand bold and beautiful, strong and soft, expressing the emotions associated with a bullet or a thimble. carlo massoud’s ‘arab dolls’ highlight the narrow and limiting ways in which we choose to understand and discuss the veil, and what it suggests about muslim or arab women in general. the installation makes a statement about how we understand the function of objects in the arab world and their role in sparking debate, while paying tribute to the beauty that lies beneath the surface and challenging preconceived notions of gender roles within arab society.