This creative initiative titled, “Celebrating Diversity, Homeland, and Identity,” represents a collective collaboration between these diverse higher education institutions and fosters a visual dialogue of cultural exchange and understanding.
“The photographs were selected by jurors from the US and vise versa — we choose the images we wanted from the American universities to be shown here,” said Dar Al-Hekma photography instructor, Rania Razek, who received an M.A. in Film and Video Production from the American University in Washington, DC.
The jurors were Iwan Bagus of UDC (who chose the Dar Al-Hekma College photographs), Leena Jayaswal of AU (who selected UDC’s images), and Wed Abduljawad, Serene Ghazzawi, Zaynub Odunsi and Razek of Dar Al-Hekma (who collectively chose the photographs from the American University).
“Students and faculty from two different continents have worked together on this project to share their interpretations of diversity, homeland and identity,” stated Cordula Peters, Program Director for graphic design, in her welcome message. “In twenty-one images, the artists attempt to break down barriers and build bridges between cultures. Their aim is to dissolve misconceptions and misunderstandings in our society.”
The exhibition on perspectives of identity through the digital medium of photography was initially launched in Washington, DC earlier last November during DC FotoWeek and UDC’s International Education Week before moving to Jeddah last week.
“The photos on display are for sale, with proceeds going to the non-profit Zahra Breast Cancer Association,” explained Razek.
The exhibition creates a platform for all students to participate in a unique form of exchange for a cultural and educational experience. “I wanted to show that you can still be conservative, yet modern,” explained Abrar Hamidaddin, one of the six Dar Al-Hekma students whose photographs were chosen.
“If Only Time Could…” (2010), depicts a woman dressed in colorful, chic clothing (albeit retro clothes, circa 1970s) and a scarf worn to cover her head in a more western fashion rather than the traditional Islamic way of wearing a veil. Hamidaddin juxtaposed this contemporary woman against an old, decrepit house to emphasize the contrast of present enlightenment and past ignorance.
Based on the photos exhibited, the Dar Al-Hekma ladies tended to lean toward a more contemporary interpretation of Saudi Arabia — perhaps it was an unconscious reaction to the way they believe the West perceives them. This was contrary to the American students who favored to focus on a more ethnic approach to their homeland’s culture and identity, emphasizing the United States’ diverse national demographic.
“A Normal Day Out” by Jalila Nayil Al-Harith, Vice President of the Photography Club, depicted two chabab (teenage boys) at a modern café — one reading a book, the other on an iPad. One was dressed in a traditional thobe while the other in jeans and a T-shirt. It wasn’t young men dancing the traditional Dabka in traditional garb; instead, she successfully communicated a more modern, universal depiction of youth and teenage normalcy.
Nouf Al-Saud’s “Just Doing My Job” is a candid black and white photograph of a Saudi police officer, resembling the uncontrived and stark reality of the famous Great Depression image “Migrant Mother” (1936) by Dorthea Lange.
Lina Al-Mashat, Raghad Latouf and Sarah Mohanna Al-Abdali also displayed great works that were chosen by Bagus from the University of the District of Columbia.
UDC showcased a colorful variety of ethnic photos from their cultural diverse student body. “Many of the images were taken on trips where students were asked to capture the cultural identity of the country,” explained Razek.
Shaun Schroth revealed an interesting narrative on diversity with his “We Are All the Same” (2010), in which he had the same individual’s portrait repeated, each time with a different style to convey an alternate personality and origin. A Kwesi, Folayan Jackson, Natalee S. Howell and Roshan Ghimire were the other four students chosen for the exhibit.
Students from the American University revealed socially charged images of the homeless, while one student’s photograph emitted the nation’s sense of optimism and hope in a beautifully captured snapshot of American history. Felix Penzarella’s “Inauguration” (2010), focuses on an African American woman as she holds her head high amongst a celebratory crowd of Americans and their erect star-spangled banners.
American University students Ashley Murphy, Christina Felix, Guarina Lopez-Davis and Kyoko Takenaka also had their photographs on display.
A picture is worth a thousand words, and if these photographs could talk, they would tell of a deeper understanding between these diverse nations. The exhibition and the efforts of all its participants was a successful initiative in bolstering a dialogue in the language of photography and the diction of cultural respect.
