hair power

Hair Power celebrates power and symbolic meaning of hair

Beautifully decorated hair combs, outrageous wigs, meticulously braided jewelry, and a warm jumper made of hair. Wereldmuseum Rotterdam launches a new exhibition: Hair Power.

Hair is a particularly powerful material. Not only because it is fragile and strong at the same time, but also because it feels so intimate. Growing out of our skin, it is part of us. Although it often seems to lead a life of its own. It is not always how we want it to be, it elicits reactions from others. It retains a special power outside our bodies. In the new exhibition Hair Power, on view from 20 May 2022,  the power and many symbolic meanings of hair are celebrated.

In Hair Power, the Wereldmuseum puts stories of people and their hair in the spotlight with contemporary and historical objects, art, design, and film. With unique contributions of various artists. Different hairstyles, decorations, wigs, and extensions are a form of communication and empowerment!

Extraordinary objects from the collection of the Wereldmuseum combine with contemporary works by leading artists and designers. For instance, a Papua New Guinean headdress of human hair, with beads and green beetle shields, stands alongside the exuberant work of celebrity wigmaker Tomihiro Kono. And a unique hat from Alaska, waterproof because of the threaded hair yarn, is shown next to a woven hair tapestry by Antonin Mongin.

A hairpiece by Tomihiro Kono - Foto Sayaka Maruyama
A hairpiece by Tomihiro Kono – Foto Sayaka Maruyama

Several photographers pay intimate tributes to people and their hair. In her series, New York-based artist Yelaine Rodriguez comments in her series on the complicated relationship between the colonized and the colonizer whilst celebrating the Afro Dominican spirituality. Sarojini Lewis from Rotterdam explores how her identity is perceived by the outside world – depending on her chosen hairstyle. And how she manages to free herself from these perceptions.

Hair Power for a better world

The exhibition starts from the personal. After that, it goes deeper into the influence that society has on the choices we make as individuals. Also when it comes to hair. In addition, Hair Power shows the many ways in which people use their hair on a large scale to create change and a better world together. Because a hairstyle becomes an icon for a political ideal and a social movement, or because hair as a residual material can contribute to a sustainable world. For example, as a sponge in an oil spill. Artist Clémence Hilaire creates the final piece of the exhibition exclusively for the Wereldmuseum. An impressive hair installation that reflects upon the exhibition as a whole.

May 20 to May 8, 2023.

Share this post

Related posts

Poke Perfect at the Oude Binnenweg

Poké Perfect brings the Haiwaiian poké bowl to Oude Binnenweg

Poké Perfect is a family-run business that was founded in 2016 and already operates 15 eateries in the

Read more

Rita Ora plays Impact Night

First Impact Night takes place in Rotterdam Ahoy

On Tuesday 4 June, Rotterdam Ahoy will host Impact Night, a brand new event that will bring thousands

Read more

Record label Nous’klaer Audio celebrates its 10 year anniversary with a festival at Brutus

Record label Nous’klaer Audio celebrates its 10 year anniversary with a festival at BRUTUS

For 10 years, independent record label Nous’klaer Audio from Rotterdam has released progressive, forward-thinking, uncompromising electronic and pop

Read more

Th einterior of Madame Saigon

Madame Saigon serves an authentic Vietnamese menu

The menu at the new family-run Madame Saigon restaurant features dishes based on well-kept family recipes. The restaurant

Read more

Inside Rotterdam

The leading city-guide for tourists, business people, expats and locals. 150.000+ readers.

Download our free city app and start exploring!