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Rachel Lee Hovnanian's Body Armor series offers a striking commentary on the relationship between feminine beauty and power within patriarchal structures. Through imposing sculptures reminiscent of medieval battle armor, Hovnanian juxtaposes the idealized female body with notions of strength and protection, drawing attention to the cultural significance of beauty as a source of authority for women. In Mind the Body, the exploration expands into a thought-provoking composition featuring abstract bathing suit sculptures that symbolize dynamics of power, identity, and hierarchy. Inspired by Michel Foucault's theories, the installation challenges traditional concepts of authority and prompts reflection on the fluidity and complexity of power relations within shifting societal frameworks. Through repetition and variation in form and finish, Hovnanian invites viewers to contemplate the pervasive presence of power dynamics and to reconsider conventional understandings of feminism and power.
