36th Annual Student Research Conference
Demistifying Myths: Using Photography to Unpack the Romanticization of Home from an Immigrant's Perspective.
Mariam H. ElKadi
Prof. Priya S. Kambli, Faculty Mentor
I was born in Egypt, however I left at a young age. I lived in Malaysia for ten years before moving to the U.S. Due to many movements throughout my life, I felt confused about "home” and romanticized it. I turned to photography and sociology to understand my identity. With photography I was able to combine visual elements from my cultures and use aspects of American culture, like the cowboy myth, to unpack romanticization. I became enamored with the masculine cowboy figure because he embodied freedom and rugged individualism. I became familiar with "Third Culture Kid," a term coined by sociologist Ruth Useem. It is defined as my parents’ culture and my learned culture combining to create a third culture from my experiences. Throughout their adult lives, third culture kids feel hesitancy about the idea of home. In this project, I use photography to unpack myths, romanticization, and home.
Keywords: Photography, Immigration, American Cowboy Myth , Culture , Stereotypes , Third Culture Kid
Topic(s):Studio Art
Sociology
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: 302-3
Location: SUB Georgian Room A
Time: 1:45