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Women, Social Transformation and the Digital Age: Investigating the Collision of Artistic Expression and Technology in Egypt (2011 - Present) |
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PP: 609-623 |
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Author(s) |
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D. Rehab,
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Abstract |
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| The relationship between the current advancement of technology and the development of contemporary feminist art in Egypt is multifaceted and complex, especially considering the historical, social, cultural, and political changes that took place from 2011 to the present time. This paper uses open-ended interviews, and multimodal analysis to investigate how Egyptian contemporary artists have adopted new technologies to push the boundaries of artistic expression and social transformation aiming to enhance the status of Egyptian women post-2011 while still preserving an authentic Egyptian identity and traditional art techniques. The study poses the following questions: what draws Egyptian, feminist contemporary artists, interested in progressing the status of women, to new multimedia technologies, and social media? Can the digital sphere offer a safe biome to confront culturally sensitive social issues? How did Egyptian, feminist contemporary artists forge a space for voice and social change in the digital sphere, and what opportunities can it currently offer them? The research draws on the work of three Egyptian artists, Beya Khalifa (1994 - present ), Dina Hafez (Unknown - present), and Deena Mohamed (1995 - present); and two organizations that use art to empower women: Zatek, a digital museum project that aims to empower women and encourage their political participation, and socioeconomic involvement; and Art D’Égypte, a privately owned Egyptian firm that supports the Egyptian arts and culture scene. The study argues that Egyptian contemporary feminist artists currently aim to re-frame the role of Egyptian women in society by utilizing art and technology as tools to re-mint the old social and cultural vocabulary to form new narratives for a “new” normal for Egyptian women. The study also maintains that digital art activism offers Egyptian women a space where they can examine the relationship between their personal and political, social, and economic narratives which can lead to a degree of social and cultural transformation and result in a positive change in the status of women in Egypt.
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