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
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...
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
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. 🇪🇬✨
Made it to the Creative Capital's shortlist. There were over 5,000 applications - will apply again next year.
In the meanwhile,game is in production. Stay tuned for the trailer.
creative-capital.org/shortlist-20...
#vjumamel
#databodies
#arabfuturism
#arabfuturist
#videogame
#gaming
#cyborgs
In the meanwhile,game is in production. Stay tuned for the trailer.
creative-capital.org/shortlist-20...
#vjumamel
#databodies
#arabfuturism
#arabfuturist
#videogame
#gaming
#cyborgs
January 24, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Made it to the Creative Capital's shortlist. There were over 5,000 applications - will apply again next year.
In the meanwhile,game is in production. Stay tuned for the trailer.
creative-capital.org/shortlist-20...
#vjumamel
#databodies
#arabfuturism
#arabfuturist
#videogame
#gaming
#cyborgs
In the meanwhile,game is in production. Stay tuned for the trailer.
creative-capital.org/shortlist-20...
#vjumamel
#databodies
#arabfuturism
#arabfuturist
#videogame
#gaming
#cyborgs
January 23, 2025 at 8:40 PM
✨R-Shief 2025 will launch a radical AI platform 🚀
As we witness the ceasefire in Gaza, we commemorate 15 years of the R-شيف (R-Shief) archive and media system launched at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History in 2009. Stay tuned as we work on an alternative platform for the non-mainstream.
As we witness the ceasefire in Gaza, we commemorate 15 years of the R-شيف (R-Shief) archive and media system launched at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History in 2009. Stay tuned as we work on an alternative platform for the non-mainstream.
January 20, 2025 at 9:47 PM
✨R-Shief 2025 will launch a radical AI platform 🚀
As we witness the ceasefire in Gaza, we commemorate 15 years of the R-شيف (R-Shief) archive and media system launched at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History in 2009. Stay tuned as we work on an alternative platform for the non-mainstream.
As we witness the ceasefire in Gaza, we commemorate 15 years of the R-شيف (R-Shief) archive and media system launched at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History in 2009. Stay tuned as we work on an alternative platform for the non-mainstream.
January 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Meta turns into the National Enquirer - scroll through while waiting in the check out lines
January 8, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Meta turns into the National Enquirer - scroll through while waiting in the check out lines
Explore 12,000 images fro Jan 6 social media archive in this online version of Capitol Mosaic 🌐✨
Here is the link: vj.live/mosaic-wall
Choose from 18 unique Arab Cyborg avatars to piece together the narrative of January 6, 2021, through two distinct mosaics of the U.S. Capitol - day and night.
Here is the link: vj.live/mosaic-wall
Choose from 18 unique Arab Cyborg avatars to piece together the narrative of January 6, 2021, through two distinct mosaics of the U.S. Capitol - day and night.
January 7, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Explore 12,000 images fro Jan 6 social media archive in this online version of Capitol Mosaic 🌐✨
Here is the link: vj.live/mosaic-wall
Choose from 18 unique Arab Cyborg avatars to piece together the narrative of January 6, 2021, through two distinct mosaics of the U.S. Capitol - day and night.
Here is the link: vj.live/mosaic-wall
Choose from 18 unique Arab Cyborg avatars to piece together the narrative of January 6, 2021, through two distinct mosaics of the U.S. Capitol - day and night.
On January 6, 2025, before a new chapter in American politics, revisit the past with my solo exhibition "Capital Glitch: Arab Cyborg Turns to D.C." This 2021 installation at Gallery QI used interactive mosaics, glitch art, and mixed reality.
Visit online at vj.live to interact with the works.
Visit online at vj.live to interact with the works.
January 7, 2025 at 3:11 AM
On January 6, 2025, before a new chapter in American politics, revisit the past with my solo exhibition "Capital Glitch: Arab Cyborg Turns to D.C." This 2021 installation at Gallery QI used interactive mosaics, glitch art, and mixed reality.
Visit online at vj.live to interact with the works.
Visit online at vj.live to interact with the works.