“Articolul 200”
BA grad collection
ALIN-PAUL CIOBANU - ARTICOLUL 200
ArtEZ Fashion Design Arnhem
The title of my collection derives from the Romanian Penal Code, “Article 200”, which was the law that criminalized homosexuality until 2001, when it was repealed. The purpose of the collection was looking for my “Queer Ancestors”, by reconstructing the Queer history of my country, which has been almost completely erased under the communist rule and their homophobic laws.
Taking cues from Hal Fischer’s “Gay Semiotics”, design details like keychains or color-coded “handkerchiefs” arose. This allowed me to enrich my collection with hidden meanings, that can communicate a Gay identity, only to be readable by those “initiated”, a self-preserving tactic adopted by Queers in hostile environments throughout history.
By cross referencing and researching existing narratives from “the West” and de-constructing and purging ideas on Masculinity, I designed what I call my “Commie Fags”.
process / development