Veiled Reference

A desire to "enlighten the gringos to the idea that Muslim women are not shrouded creatures" led Boulder author Jennifer Heath to write a book called The Scimitar and the Veil: Extraordinary Women Of Islam. In turn, that led her to further explore the politics and history of the veil in general, resulting in her soon-to-be-released collection of writings by women authors and scholars of all faiths and nationalities on the subject. "Battles have always been fought over women's bodies and clothing," Heath notes of her ongoing fascination. "I was inspired to explore this in a broader way." But even that wasn't enough.

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"Once I have a notion, I just can't leave it alone," Heath adds. "And I thought it would be fun to see what visual artists had to say about it." To that end, she invited some thirty women artists as diverse as those represented in the book to provide a visual libretto of paintings, video, photographs, installations and more as an accompaniment. The ensuing exhibition, The Veil: Visible and Invisible Spaces, opens today at the Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut Street in Boulder, and runs through June 20, along with a series of related lectures, performances and a book signing in June.

Tonight's reception, from 5 to 7 p.m., includes a performance by 3rd Law Dance/Theater and Molting, an outdoor installation by Sue Hammond West; go to www.thedairy.org or call 303-440-7826.
May 16-June 20, 2008