The Dress is a solo exhibition by Viveka Biondic presented at Galerie Frei.Haus. The project examines femininity, strength, and self-image through painting, focusing on women whose presence, confidence, and inner tension shape the work more than any garment itself.

The exhibition is realized in partnership with Ars Flagranti, whose focus on material, craftsmanship, and metal-based structures enters into a direct dialogue with the physicality of the works. This collaboration emphasizes durability, precision, and the transformation of traditionally fragile themes into permanent form.

In parallel, the exhibition is developed in collaboration with So What. The women depicted in the paintings appear strong, controlled, and self-assured. The decision to collaborate with So What is rooted in the understanding that these very qualities can carry risk: the pressure to remain confident, disciplined, and in control can make even the strongest women vulnerable to eating disorders. When control slips, the resulting struggles are often invisible precisely because they contradict external expectations.

By bringing these perspectives together, The Dress creates space for a nuanced conversation about strength, vulnerability, and the silent pressures placed on women—beyond stereotypes, and beyond appearances.