Mura Ziperowitsch, 1920s

Mura Ziperowitsch, Wien, 1920er Jahre, Foto Anonym, O. J. (Anonymous photographer) | src Alles tanzt Ausstellung @ Theatermuseum © KHM-Museumsverband

Role models. Many female dancers dealt with given role structures and criticized gender specific role attributions. The nun is seen as embodiment of a nonsexual woman who dedicates her life to God. Hence the play with the nun’s costume is a game with female physicality and sexuality. Here we meet Mura Ziperowitsch, who by wearing a nun similar costume refers to the female corporality.

source Vienna Pride at Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien

Women in balloon costume

Honor Blackman, English actress, wearing a bunch of balloons in a studio portrait, ca. 1950. Photo: Paul Popper | src Getty Images
Dancer Helen Barnes, wearing a costume and headpiece decorated with balloons. Ziegfeld Midnight Frolics. Photo: White (NY)

Ziegfeld Midnight Frolics : The Ziegfeld midnight frolics was an annual review playing at New York City’s New Amsterdam Roof that was produced from 1912 through 1929. “Helen Barnes, ‘Ziegfeld Midnight Frolic’, Danse de Follies, New Amsterdam Roof”– written on verso.

src New York Public Library (NYPL)