Waiting for a GPS Signal

Nouf Alhamdan

Nouf Alhamdan King Saud University

Abstract

Waiting for GPS signal is a metaphor that opened new possibilities to explore issues of dual-identity in which I am cast as an outsider from my birthplace and family ties to Saudi Arabia and from my education home in the United States. The emotional quest led to producing artwork that highlights issues of positionality, culture, gender, globalization, and double coding. I discuss these art works raising concerns of racial stereotypes. GPS, in this exploration, references: (G) for gender global positioning, (P) for my positionality, and (S) for socio-cultural systems and signals. Aiming to deconstruct globally social norms and replace them using my position as a previously isolated Middle Eastern female being bombarded with Western culture.

Author Biography

Nouf Alhamdan, King Saud University

Nouf A. Alhamdan is a New Media artist and a lecturer at the Media Department in King Saud University- Riyadh-Saudi Arabia. Nouf is Saudi and holds an MFA in Visual Arts concentrating on New Media from The Pennsylvania State University and a bachelor's degree in Special Education from King Saud University. As an artist, Nouf's work uses New Media art to highlight issues of positionality, culture, gender, globalization, and double coding. As a scholar, Nouf identifies as a creative researcher who utilizes interdisciplinary in her academic interests, which includes identity, cultural differences in gender role, digital platforms impact, and stereotypes. Nouf is also interested in filmmaking, video editing, and storytelling. For correspondence, Nouf A. Alhamdan can be reached at Noalhamdan@Ksu.edu.sa.