Maysam Al-Ani

SAIC SHOWS 2022 GRADUATE EXHIBITIONS

Graduates

SAIC SHOWS 2022 GRADUATE EXHIBITIONS

Master of Fine Arts in Studio, Art and Technology Studies

Maysam Al-Ani is an Iraqi-American digital media artist, game designer, and filmmaker. Her work explores concepts of third-culture-kid and diasporic identities inspired by personal experiences. This includes narratives of fragmented relationships, memories, and identity surrounding the US invasion of Iraq, where she is originally from, and the influence of technology on media portrayals and language barriers, particularly between English and Arabic. Her technical skills range from Unity, CLO3D, SparkAR Studio, Maya, Blender, Raspberry Pi, and Adobe programs. Her work includes Unity games, films and machinima, 3D models, and AR filters. Maysam holds a bachelor’s degree in Media Industries & Technology from Northwestern University and an MFA in Art & Technology Studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Maysam Al-Ani - Down the Euphrates River

Down the Euphrates River, Screenshot of screen-based work made with Unity and Blender

Peace and violence living simultaneously - that is the reality of most war-torn countries. In this case, it is Iraq. This piece explores that coexistence of peace and violence in present day war-torn Iraq. It celebrates the peace yet juxtaposes it with violence: the serene sounds of the bulbul bird, sounds of the water flowing, the flamingos, the woman in the boat, the fish, and the watermelons. They all symbolize peace. However, these symbols of peace are also juxtaposed with symbols of violence. The message here is exploring the ever current daily experience of Iraqis. They live in a country ruined by invasions and wars but somehow, they are able to continue with their lives - they balance the peace and the violence in their lives everyday: a show of true resilience and bravery.

Family Constellation, Screenshot of an interactive web-based VR experience created using Three.js, Maya, and GRAMPS

Deconstructing traditional patriarchal family trees into a constellation that lives in an immersive VR world. Intense connectivity and the desire for being recorded, this work plays with themes of navigation, ancient histories, the natural world, and astronomy. Meanwhile, celebrating and recognizing pioneering women’s and men’s contributions to the Arab world and culture today - regardless of gender norms or social expectations.

Memory Console, Interactive SDTV-based installation work made on Processing with videos curated and sourced online

The feeling of suddenly recalling a precious memory, as if it were a flashback, a déjà vu, is one that I wanted to recreate with Memory Console. Growing up in the late 90s in a tech savvy family meant that gaming consoles and the PC were my main sources of entertainment, and ultimately the bulk of my childhood memories. Attached to each game, is a fragmented experience that I can recall bits and pieces of. Some are triggered by the images and others by the sounds. Mario’s cry in Yoshi’s Island transports me back to the basement in our house in Baltimore, Maryland, sitting on a pillow cross-legged on the carpeted floor, the bulky TV sits on a small drawer chest, and the Super Nintendo is covered in the smell of old perfume. Memory Console celebrates human memories, although broken, that technologies hold, in this case, that video games hold. The sizes of the ellipses change when you move the cursor from the top right corner to the bottom left corner. But, the image is never fully clear.

A Seed in Time, Screenshot of a touch screen-based installation work made using Unity and Blender

In Middle Eastern culture, sunflower seeds hold a significant role in intimate social gatherings between close friends and family. This piece recreates that setting: two bowls that are decorated in a commonly used design in the Middle East, a wooden tray, a carpet, and ceramic tiled floors. When I think of sunflower seeds, I think of those items. I think of the people surrounding me: loved ones, family, and friends. I think of the types of conversations I have with those people, usually in Arabic. The nature of snacking on sunflower seeds while conversing about an array of topics creates a sense of passage of time, of leisure, and of connection. While this is a lovely atmosphere to be in, it is often done in the presence of news on TV. With this piece, I want to create a commentary on the increasing tensions and conflicts occurring in the world and the denial of the urgency of action that should take place.

Originally a filmmaker, I am often first inspired by narratives and stories that surround interfaith, intercultural, cross-lingual and cross-border experiences and relationships. These experiences tend to communicate an interesting overlap in terms of technology, communication, language, and/or culture.

As a third-culture kid, questions of cultural identity and belonging are ones I constantly struggle with and attempt to navigate through in my personal life. I believe that this is not a unique experience for many Arabs like myself. Due to the wars and tensions that have occurred in the past few decades, there has been a rise in diasporas. I want to create work that speaks to Arab youth who find themselves in that same grey area.

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