Americ أمريكانة is, at its heart, an immigrant autobiography about surviving the American dream. This narrative—which is my own personal story—will be told using sculptures created from repurposed antique books displayed in various manners throughout the exhibition space. Some will be wall hung salon-style while others piled in corners, a gesture reminiscent of the beautiful, ramshackle chaos of the Soor Al Azbakeya book sellers’ market in Cairo.

Conceptual Approach:

An important part of my practice involves salvaging books from dumpsters and recycling bins and giving them a second life as art. The metaphor here, if we choose to believe in such things, operates on multiple levels. One reference being the ancient Egyptian concept of the afterlife, burial chambers filled with personal objects imbued with deep meaning. Another, more personal interpretation the show will invite is an allusion to the immigrant experience—that is, building a new life on top of our past and the history of those who came before. I also endeavor to engage in sustainable, zero-waste production practices through creative reuse.

Interpretation:

While rooted in my own past, Americ أمريكانة will invite visitors to create their own meaning in what they see. Such is the inherent nature of both literature and visual art. Some of the books in the exhibition reference existing novels, design concepts, and political theories and could serve as a springboard for healthy discussion. Although these books are inhabited by our collective past and the memories of previous owners, it will be up to the visitor to establish their own narrative.