iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

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

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VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

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

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VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

"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.

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VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

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/

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VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

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

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VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

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.

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VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

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

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Reposted by VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr)

Autonomous Futures @autonomousfutures.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

In the latest Autonomous Futures substack post, Sarah Papazoglakis asks, "Is Instinct a Techbology?" Link in bio 🤓

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Reposted by VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr)

Autonomous Futures @autonomousfutures.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Ready to recharge this weekend? Check out the cultural texts our collective is turning to for inspiration this year ✨️

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VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

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...

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VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

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...

auggies.awexr.com

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Reposted by VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr)

The Good Robot Podcast @goodrobotpod.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

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.com

Data Bodies and Arab Futurisms with Laila Shereen Sakr

YouTube video by The Good Robot

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VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

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

open.substack.com

What is Autonomous Futures?

Autonomous Futures Community

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VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

We made this in my Fem-Tech Lab seminar in 2017 after a workshop with the Overpass Light Brigade. #vjumamel #olb #overheadlightbrigade

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Reposted by VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr)

Giuliana Perrone @gperrone.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

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.

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Reposted by VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr)

Social Media Lab @socialmedialab.ca · 11/03/2025

"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...

theverge.com

The Trump administration wants to review all prospective citizens’ social media accounts

An immigrant rights group called the move ‘authoritarian.’

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Reposted by VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr)

Miriam Posner @miriamposner.com · 11/03/2025

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...

docs.google.com

Getting Started with Flourish w video

Getting Started with Flourish A powerful web-based tool for dataviz

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Reposted by VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr)

Justin Hendrix @justinhendrix.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

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.

techpolicy.press

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.

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VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

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

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VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Update to 2025 Photo Credit: Matt Perko See article: magazine.ucsb.edu/fall-winter-... #vjumamel #humanities #vantage #Technoculture

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VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

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. 🇪🇬✨

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VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

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

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Reposted by VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr)

Jillian C. York @jillian.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Bluesky, please be better about labeling adult content. This is not adult content, it's non-sexual nudity at best.

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VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

✨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.

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VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

Brazilian judge Alexandre de Moraes decided to shut down billionaire Elon Musk's social media platform X, as part of a broader effort against perceived attacks on democracy and the political use of disinformation.

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Reposted by VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr)

Tech Policy Press @techpolicypress.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

American AI policy in 2025 will almost certainly be dominated, yet again, by state legislative proposals rather than federal government proposals, writes Dean Ball.

buff.ly

The Coming Year of AI Regulation in the States | TechPolicy.Press

American AI policy in 2025 will almost certainly be dominated, yet again, by state legislative proposals rather than federal government proposals.

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VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Meta turns into the National Enquirer - scroll through while waiting in the check out lines

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VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

Sherene Seikaly @srseikaly.bsky.social and Barbara Weinstein calmly explain why scholars have an ethical obligation to condemn the obliteration of universities, schools, archives, libraries, and lives. Incredible leadership in this historic vote. youtu.be/cO3efzMvruo?...

youtu.be

American Historical Assoc. Votes Overwhelmingly for Resolution to Oppose Scholasticide in Gaza

YouTube video by Democracy Now!

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VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

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.

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VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

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.

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Reposted by VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr)

Jared Malsin @jmalsin.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Loud explosions shake central Beirut, followed by sirens. It’s 4am here.

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Reposted by VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr)

Molly Crabapple @mollycrabapple.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

“The Israeli missile hits and the building collapses like a layer cake. The air fills with fulgent exhalations of dust. That was my great uncle’s apartment, one man wrote on Instagram. He had a massive library. It made me want to become a writer.” m0llycrabapple.substack.com/p/beirut-bei...

m0llycrabapple.substack.com

Beirut Beirut

As an independent artist with no degree and a giant mouth, your subscriptions help me do the work I want, unconstrained by collectors or corporations.

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VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) @vjumamel.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Is this Chrome's checkmate? Google's monopoly on search might just hit a wall. The DOJ's move to force a sale could be the beginning of the end for Google's all-encompassing digital empire. Is this the domino effect we've been waiting for in Big Tech? 🚨 #Google #Chrome #Antitrust #DOJ #TechNews

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Reposted by VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr)

Tech Policy Press @techpolicypress.bsky.social · 04/11/2024

With its use of #AI, #facialrecognition, and other technologies, #Israel is setting a new precedent for #surveillance and the data-driven slaughter of civilians, writes @vjumamel.bsky.social. Will these tactics spread to other conflicts around the world?

techpolicy.press

When Data Bodies Become Targets: New Risks in a Networked World | TechPolicy.Press

Laila Shereen Sakr is a Public Voices Fellow of the OpEd Project.

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