The Myth of the Gypsy Femme Fatale

“Gypsy” is a misnomer given to the Romani people; whose ancestors left the Indian subcontinent a thousand years ago. Since their arrival in Europe, prejudice and bigotry towards them have been spread through literature, music, and cinema. This exhibit’s purpose is to highlight the works that have contributed to the exotification and vilification of young Romani women. From Prosper Merimée’s Carmen to Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 19th century European literature inspired different cultural products throughout the world.

In the exhibit, the three ledges show works by authors, composers, and directors from different geographic areas. In the first, US stereotypes of Romnia, European stereotypes in the second level, and Latin American images in the bottom one. More at: https://imgur.com/a/5EqDscC