La barbe are a group of French activists who don beards at patriarchal events to indicate in a non-aggressive, sardonic way that little has changed in modern times, that it is still men who preside in positions of authority and power. It is also interesting that when protesting at a masonic lodge they were briefly tolerated - until a camera was taken out and then security made their move. Photography may be ubiquitous in a digital age but it is still intimidating to institutions as it is a means of taking authorial control.
