PATRIOTIC DRAG
– intervention publique

In January 1998, a white right-wing rally commemorating the South African (Anglo-Boer) War was held at Fort Klapperkop, Pretoria.

Artist Kendell Geers had publicly stated his intention to occupy this fort, on this day, as an artistic intervention. Cohen attended the event to support Geers.

He did this not only as Princess Menorah, but also to address his own experience in the South African Defence Force. Menorah’s presence contributed to the event’s protest and discursive value.
She wore an orange wig adorned with feathers, red high-heeled shoes, elbow-length black gloves, a red handbag, a pink feather fan and a floor-length black dress with diamanté decoration. This costume was not overtly Jewish, but a Jewish sensibility was understood by the neo-Nazi Afrikaner Weerstands-beweging supporters at the rally, and Menorah was ejected from it by khaki-clad right wingers wearing swastikas, giving the Nazi salute and shouting “Heil Hitler”.

This image was front-page national news; Cohen’s only recorded comment at the time was: “I wish I was a bigger girl.”

© John Hodgkiss

© John Hodgkiss

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