The term “butch” was given by society to women who do not comply to norms of femininity. Throughout the history of humanity, there have been women who looked different, or did not adhere to the expected norms: they were different in appearance, did not marry or chose not to bear children. Butch, as the photographer wishes to portray, as opposed to a woman who wishes to change her birth gender, identifies wholly as a woman, although society would interpret her looks or behaviour as masculine, or even provocatively anti-feminine. The current trend of researching gender fluidity and placement on a Gender spectrum, does not concern the essence of Butch identity, for a Butch will always identify herself as female, in her own way and regardless of general social norms. Ora Cohen, who has been researching gender and identity through photography and art for many years, presents a unique personal point of view. Currently she clearly identifies as Butch. But for many years, she had lived on the boundaries of various cultures who had a hard time accepting her different appearance, responding often with strange looks, verbal and even physical violence. Born to a conservative family, in a mixed culture northern town, she never quite belonged to one society or another and always stood out as being different. Her multi-cultural background enables her, in hindsight, a unique perspective and ability to contain and express simultaeously events occuring in different spheres of time and space, in an enthralling manner, rich with nuance and full of the sensitivity which is apparent in her artwork. “The Beautiful Butch Project” is a long term travelling work of research, acting within imaginary margins, far from social consensus. The subjects of the project are located through social media and by word of mouth. The women are generally photographed in their own intimate surroundings, in their homes, rooms, in their day to day activities,
Exhibitions
in a real physical space where everything is allowed: it is ok to laugh or cry to be weak or strong. The subjects are safe to speak freely of their identities in an unmediated space where they are comfortable, strong and free to be exactly as they wish, without judgement or the threat of societies point of view of them. Ora’s presence behind the camera gives the subjects the confidence and safety to be themselves. The moment of photography is a moment of magic. The photographer and subject look at each other, through different ends of the lens, and a mutual sense of reflection and identification occurs. The life stories and experiences correlate for a brief moment, echoed and captured in the “click” of the camera. The self portrait of the photographer herself, embossed in the image of her subject. Through the work of photography Ora Cohen discovers and reveals a touching dimension of beauty, which is whole, and powerful and rough, passionate and seductive and attractive. She gives expression to course power and great tenderness and sensitivity simultaneously intertwined. The “Beautiful Butch Project” is due to travel to large cities in Europe and the United States, to reach out to many local Butch woman and give them the unique opportunity to witness their own beauty and give them the space to identify with similar woman and research the subject of gender identity together.
