Claude Cahun, born Lucy Schwob, challenged gender norms through her art, adopting an androgynous identity. A pivotal figure in Surrealism, her self-portraits explore identity, sexuality, and power dynamics, forging paths for queer theory and feminist art. Cahun’s work, overshadowed during her life, gained recognition and inspires contemporary artists today. Continue reading Claude Cahun
Grisha and Brona, the electrifying dance duo of the 1930s and 1940s, lit up vaudeville stages with their captivating performances and stunning costumes. Known for their exotic flair, their outfits, like the iconic tulle overlay with a plastic-like sheen, likely crafted from rayon or nylon for its stiffness and affordability. These outfits, captured in rare 1940s publicity photos, evoke the allure of BDSM aesthetics, blending … Continue reading Exotic Vaudeville dancers Grisha and Brona
Burlesque has long been a stage for bold creativity, merging humor, satire, and a hint of the risqué. One captivating trend from its golden era was the “1/2 and 1/2” costume act, where dancers sported a “normal” stage dress on one side, only to reveal a dramatic twist on the other—be it a man’s suit, a gorilla costume, or the devil himself! This style surged … Continue reading The Devil Dancers
