VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr)
@vjumamel.bsky.social
Socially conscious cyborg with a data body. Digital artist, author, programmer, and associate professor at UC Santa Barbara
https://vjumamel.com
https://vjumamel.com
This early video installation, "Inverted Revolution" (2006), was born from a poem I wrote and recorded.
The live-recorded remix weaves in the voice of Prof. Lila Abu-Lughod (courtesy of the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Georgetown Univ, 2008).
#Poetry #DigitalArt #ArabFuturism #rotoscope
The live-recorded remix weaves in the voice of Prof. Lila Abu-Lughod (courtesy of the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Georgetown Univ, 2008).
#Poetry #DigitalArt #ArabFuturism #rotoscope
November 11, 2025 at 9:59 PM
This early video installation, "Inverted Revolution" (2006), was born from a poem I wrote and recorded.
The live-recorded remix weaves in the voice of Prof. Lila Abu-Lughod (courtesy of the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Georgetown Univ, 2008).
#Poetry #DigitalArt #ArabFuturism #rotoscope
The live-recorded remix weaves in the voice of Prof. Lila Abu-Lughod (courtesy of the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Georgetown Univ, 2008).
#Poetry #DigitalArt #ArabFuturism #rotoscope
Eighteen years ago, I stepped into my cyborg self, VJ Um Amel, for the first time. This early video installation marked the beginning of a journey through archives, bodies, and machines.
🎥 Intro to Arab, Mother, Cyborg: Digital Performance (v1)
#DigitalArt #CyborgPerformance #ArabFuturism
🎥 Intro to Arab, Mother, Cyborg: Digital Performance (v1)
#DigitalArt #CyborgPerformance #ArabFuturism
November 11, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Eighteen years ago, I stepped into my cyborg self, VJ Um Amel, for the first time. This early video installation marked the beginning of a journey through archives, bodies, and machines.
🎥 Intro to Arab, Mother, Cyborg: Digital Performance (v1)
#DigitalArt #CyborgPerformance #ArabFuturism
🎥 Intro to Arab, Mother, Cyborg: Digital Performance (v1)
#DigitalArt #CyborgPerformance #ArabFuturism
"Portrait of a Cyborg: 2017"--a meditation on form, content, composition, materiality, virtuality, and data. A limited series of inkjet on metal. A self portrait.
Shown in Cairo, San Francisco, New York, Buenos Aires, Rio di Janeiro, and Seoul. It just arrived back home in Santa Barbara.
Shown in Cairo, San Francisco, New York, Buenos Aires, Rio di Janeiro, and Seoul. It just arrived back home in Santa Barbara.
September 1, 2025 at 9:03 PM
"Portrait of a Cyborg: 2017"--a meditation on form, content, composition, materiality, virtuality, and data. A limited series of inkjet on metal. A self portrait.
Shown in Cairo, San Francisco, New York, Buenos Aires, Rio di Janeiro, and Seoul. It just arrived back home in Santa Barbara.
Shown in Cairo, San Francisco, New York, Buenos Aires, Rio di Janeiro, and Seoul. It just arrived back home in Santa Barbara.
Sharing glimpses from the exhibition catalog, featuring my work.
This historic publication and show at Diriyah Art Futures brings together pioneers of Arab new media art in one landmark exhibit.
🔗 Explore more: canvasonline.com/event/maknana-an-archaeology-of-new-media-art-in-the-arab-world/
This historic publication and show at Diriyah Art Futures brings together pioneers of Arab new media art in one landmark exhibit.
🔗 Explore more: canvasonline.com/event/maknana-an-archaeology-of-new-media-art-in-the-arab-world/
August 23, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Sharing glimpses from the exhibition catalog, featuring my work.
This historic publication and show at Diriyah Art Futures brings together pioneers of Arab new media art in one landmark exhibit.
🔗 Explore more: canvasonline.com/event/maknana-an-archaeology-of-new-media-art-in-the-arab-world/
This historic publication and show at Diriyah Art Futures brings together pioneers of Arab new media art in one landmark exhibit.
🔗 Explore more: canvasonline.com/event/maknana-an-archaeology-of-new-media-art-in-the-arab-world/
Just dropped a clip from my upcoming project, From the Cyborg’s Desk — part historical fiction, part speculative futures.
I reconstructed the Capitol in 3D using millions of Jan 6 social media images, then glitched the model.
Features lyrics from Land of the Freefall
#GlitchArt #DigitalFutures
I reconstructed the Capitol in 3D using millions of Jan 6 social media images, then glitched the model.
Features lyrics from Land of the Freefall
#GlitchArt #DigitalFutures
August 8, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Just dropped a clip from my upcoming project, From the Cyborg’s Desk — part historical fiction, part speculative futures.
I reconstructed the Capitol in 3D using millions of Jan 6 social media images, then glitched the model.
Features lyrics from Land of the Freefall
#GlitchArt #DigitalFutures
I reconstructed the Capitol in 3D using millions of Jan 6 social media images, then glitched the model.
Features lyrics from Land of the Freefall
#GlitchArt #DigitalFutures
As my year-long sabbatical of research and recovery (R&R) comes to a close, I'm grateful to have been able to dedicate time to my health, fitness, and strength.
As of July 1, I return from sabbatical as Director of Graduate Studies. And so with strength, humor, and a calm mind, we go forth.
As of July 1, I return from sabbatical as Director of Graduate Studies. And so with strength, humor, and a calm mind, we go forth.
July 2, 2025 at 11:45 PM
As my year-long sabbatical of research and recovery (R&R) comes to a close, I'm grateful to have been able to dedicate time to my health, fitness, and strength.
As of July 1, I return from sabbatical as Director of Graduate Studies. And so with strength, humor, and a calm mind, we go forth.
As of July 1, I return from sabbatical as Director of Graduate Studies. And so with strength, humor, and a calm mind, we go forth.
I am honored to exhibit "R-Shief Portal" (2020) in Diriyah Art Futures' latest show, Maknana: An Archaeology of New Media Art in the Arab World. This groundbreaking exhibition brings together over 40 artists from across the Arab world. Open through July 2025. #DAF #Maknana #digitalart #arabartists
May 21, 2025 at 5:03 PM
I am honored to exhibit "R-Shief Portal" (2020) in Diriyah Art Futures' latest show, Maknana: An Archaeology of New Media Art in the Arab World. This groundbreaking exhibition brings together over 40 artists from across the Arab world. Open through July 2025. #DAF #Maknana #digitalart #arabartists
Reposted by VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr)
In the latest Autonomous Futures substack post, Sarah Papazoglakis asks, "Is Instinct a Techbology?"
Link in bio 🤓
Link in bio 🤓
February 3, 2025 at 4:28 PM
In the latest Autonomous Futures substack post, Sarah Papazoglakis asks, "Is Instinct a Techbology?"
Link in bio 🤓
Link in bio 🤓
Reposted by VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr)
Ready to recharge this weekend? Check out the cultural texts our collective is turning to for inspiration this year ✨️
February 8, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Ready to recharge this weekend? Check out the cultural texts our collective is turning to for inspiration this year ✨️
Dropping some new and old here.
Two of my works have been nominated for the 2025 Auggie Awards. They are up now for public voting. May I ask for ur vote?
Societal Impact category:
auggies.awexr.com/entry/vote/b...
Indie Creators category:
auggies.awexr.com/entry/vote/b...
Two of my works have been nominated for the 2025 Auggie Awards. They are up now for public voting. May I ask for ur vote?
Societal Impact category:
auggies.awexr.com/entry/vote/b...
Indie Creators category:
auggies.awexr.com/entry/vote/b...
May 9, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Dropping some new and old here.
Two of my works have been nominated for the 2025 Auggie Awards. They are up now for public voting. May I ask for ur vote?
Societal Impact category:
auggies.awexr.com/entry/vote/b...
Indie Creators category:
auggies.awexr.com/entry/vote/b...
Two of my works have been nominated for the 2025 Auggie Awards. They are up now for public voting. May I ask for ur vote?
Societal Impact category:
auggies.awexr.com/entry/vote/b...
Indie Creators category:
auggies.awexr.com/entry/vote/b...
Two of my works are being considered for the Auggie Awards. They are up for public voting.
May I ask for your votes for “Arab Future Tripping” under Societal Impact and “Capital Glitch” under Indie Creators?
Societal..
auggies.awexr.com/entry/vote/b...
Indie..
auggies.awexr.com/entry/vote/b...
May I ask for your votes for “Arab Future Tripping” under Societal Impact and “Capital Glitch” under Indie Creators?
Societal..
auggies.awexr.com/entry/vote/b...
Indie..
auggies.awexr.com/entry/vote/b...
auggies.awexr.com
May 7, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Two of my works are being considered for the Auggie Awards. They are up for public voting.
May I ask for your votes for “Arab Future Tripping” under Societal Impact and “Capital Glitch” under Indie Creators?
Societal..
auggies.awexr.com/entry/vote/b...
Indie..
auggies.awexr.com/entry/vote/b...
May I ask for your votes for “Arab Future Tripping” under Societal Impact and “Capital Glitch” under Indie Creators?
Societal..
auggies.awexr.com/entry/vote/b...
Indie..
auggies.awexr.com/entry/vote/b...
Reposted by VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr)
NEW EPISODE! Join us as we talk to the incredible @vjumamel.bsky.social about data bodies, feminist data sets, and Arab futurisms. Watch us now on YouTube, or find us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts! ✨
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm3m...
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm3m...
Data Bodies and Arab Futurisms with Laila Shereen Sakr
YouTube video by The Good Robot
www.youtube.com
April 29, 2025 at 3:35 PM
NEW EPISODE! Join us as we talk to the incredible @vjumamel.bsky.social about data bodies, feminist data sets, and Arab futurisms. Watch us now on YouTube, or find us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts! ✨
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm3m...
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm3m...
What is Autonomous Futures? "We envision a future where communities own, operate, and determine the appropriate processes of development and application(s) for ai to support our society." @autonomousfutures.bsky.social
What is Autonomous Futures?
Autonomous Futures Community
open.substack.com
April 16, 2025 at 2:18 AM
What is Autonomous Futures? "We envision a future where communities own, operate, and determine the appropriate processes of development and application(s) for ai to support our society." @autonomousfutures.bsky.social
We made this in my Fem-Tech Lab seminar in 2017 after a workshop with the Overpass Light Brigade.
#vjumamel
#olb
#overheadlightbrigade
#vjumamel
#olb
#overheadlightbrigade
March 14, 2025 at 3:37 AM
We made this in my Fem-Tech Lab seminar in 2017 after a workshop with the Overpass Light Brigade.
#vjumamel
#olb
#overheadlightbrigade
#vjumamel
#olb
#overheadlightbrigade
Reposted by VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr)
As Frederick Douglass said,
"Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will...The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress."
@schumer.senate.gov has no endurance.
"Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will...The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress."
@schumer.senate.gov has no endurance.
March 14, 2025 at 2:11 AM
As Frederick Douglass said,
"Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will...The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress."
@schumer.senate.gov has no endurance.
"Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will...The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress."
@schumer.senate.gov has no endurance.
Reposted by VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr)
"The Trump administration wants to review all prospective citizens’ social media accounts. People applying for US citizenship or personal residency may soon have to disclose their social media handles to the government." www.theverge.com/policy/62494...
The Trump administration wants to review all prospective citizens’ social media accounts
An immigrant rights group called the move ‘authoritarian.’
www.theverge.com
March 11, 2025 at 11:53 PM
"The Trump administration wants to review all prospective citizens’ social media accounts. People applying for US citizenship or personal residency may soon have to disclose their social media handles to the government." www.theverge.com/policy/62494...
Reposted by VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr)
We did dataviz today! If you want to use Flourish, a web-based tool for making graphs and charts, you're welcome to learn along: docs.google.com/presentation...
Getting Started with Flourish w video
Getting Started with Flourish A powerful web-based tool for dataviz
docs.google.com
March 11, 2025 at 11:58 PM
We did dataviz today! If you want to use Flourish, a web-based tool for making graphs and charts, you're welcome to learn along: docs.google.com/presentation...
Reposted by VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr)
New podcast- at the Paris AI Action Summit on February 10-11, remarks by EU and US leaders indicated significant divergence on how to think about AI. This episode is a sampler platter of the politics on display at the Grand Palais-and in Washington DC at #StateOfTheNet.
Podcast: Paths Diverge at the Paris AI Action Summit | TechPolicy.Press
Prominent voices from the Summit at the Gran Palais in Paris, as well as reactions at the State of the Net conference in Washington, DC.
techpolicy.press
February 16, 2025 at 9:16 PM
New podcast- at the Paris AI Action Summit on February 10-11, remarks by EU and US leaders indicated significant divergence on how to think about AI. This episode is a sampler platter of the politics on display at the Grand Palais-and in Washington DC at #StateOfTheNet.
Reposted by VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr)
Thank you, Tina Guirguis, for this book review in the International Journal of Middle East Studies. I'm especially thrilled for all your accomplishments and the synchronicity of this review with them.
Link: shorturl.at/ypXEa
#bookreview
#Arabic
#glitch
#revolution
#ArabSpring
#vjumamel
Link: shorturl.at/ypXEa
#bookreview
#Arabic
#glitch
#revolution
#ArabSpring
#vjumamel
February 6, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Thank you, Tina Guirguis, for this book review in the International Journal of Middle East Studies. I'm especially thrilled for all your accomplishments and the synchronicity of this review with them.
Link: shorturl.at/ypXEa
#bookreview
#Arabic
#glitch
#revolution
#ArabSpring
#vjumamel
Link: shorturl.at/ypXEa
#bookreview
#Arabic
#glitch
#revolution
#ArabSpring
#vjumamel
I asked Musk's AI what it knew about me
February 4, 2025 at 2:24 AM
I asked Musk's AI what it knew about me
Update to 2025
Photo Credit: Matt Perko
See article: magazine.ucsb.edu/fall-winter-...
#vjumamel
#humanities
#vantage
#Technoculture
Photo Credit: Matt Perko
See article: magazine.ucsb.edu/fall-winter-...
#vjumamel
#humanities
#vantage
#Technoculture
January 29, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Update to 2025
Photo Credit: Matt Perko
See article: magazine.ucsb.edu/fall-winter-...
#vjumamel
#humanities
#vantage
#Technoculture
Photo Credit: Matt Perko
See article: magazine.ucsb.edu/fall-winter-...
#vjumamel
#humanities
#vantage
#Technoculture
On #Jan25, we commemorate 14 years since Egypt's Arab Spring, a beacon of hope for dignity. Today, the country and global community grapple with severe economic strain and political repression. I offer these glitch and mosaic pieces from 2011 to reflect on this tumultuous journey. 🇪🇬✨
January 25, 2025 at 6:13 PM
On #Jan25, we commemorate 14 years since Egypt's Arab Spring, a beacon of hope for dignity. Today, the country and global community grapple with severe economic strain and political repression. I offer these glitch and mosaic pieces from 2011 to reflect on this tumultuous journey. 🇪🇬✨