What do the girls of the Israeli army when it is not necessary to protect anyone
During my recent trip to the homeland, the artist from new York Mayan Toledano made a very intimate series of beautiful images about girls in the Israeli army. Thus, the photographer wanted to return part of their youth — the time when Maya served herself and was deprived of all the cultural symbols of "femininity". The concept of gender, nationality or personality differences had to disappear from the life of a girl for all time compulsory service in the Israeli army — national identity was in the first place.
Maya still remembers, as they feared that the military form will destroy her emerging femininity.
In a series of pictures of Maya Toledano young girls charming manages not to succumb to this fear and at times very delicately push national identity on the backburner. Under the rough cloth soldier uniform hides a bold personality. Even in the army they try to follow the path of creation, choosing creative specialties, such as journalism, directing or education. Girls carefully select the shape, shoes, monotonous white t-shirt and almost inconspicuous decorations.
Of course, this sounds paradoxical, but the apparent indifference of the heroines pictures of Maya is actually a clear manifestation of independence. This feigned sadness and neglect — their particular way of protest against the violence and the destruction of gender boundaries.
Keywords: Army | Gender | Girls | Debt | Femininity | Israel