Performance Studies alum Nour Helou (MA '23) and Afrang Nordlöf Malekian recently published The Tale of the (Fe)Male Sun with Swedish publishing house Glänta.
The Tale of the (Fe)Male Sun tells the story of the rise and fall of hierarchical beauty standards in Southwest Asia and North Africa through mythologies, anecdotes, history, Qajar paintings, hand-colored photographs, with cassette and vinyl covers. What rises from the pages is the story of how a little star in the cosmos transformed into an almighty sun, both female and male. In their light, nonbinary gender expressions in painting, music, and dance flourished, nurtured by the desire of royals and artists. But over time, the gender-transcending sun came to be eclipsed by a new, faceless sun. Now in the shadows, but not forgotten, the (fe)male sun occasionally sneaks out from behind the faceless sun – like in this book – reminding us of their former glory. All in the hope that one day, we will greet this sun again, like an old friend shining by our side.