"Banat Al Fi'9a (The Silver Girls)" transports us to an imaginary world where two young women challenge the oppressive rule of the late Sultan Said bin Taimur and cultural norms of their time in 1960s Oman. The visual series captures the era referred to as the "dark ages," when modern developments and objects such as radios, bicycles, and sunglasses were banned.
The two protagonists embark on a surreal journey through the country, a time when travel itself was a challenge. Despite the obstacles, they move with grace and fierce determination, engaging in activities that transcend the conventional expectations for women of their era. Their artistic expressions are set free, and they chase their dreams with an intense passion that permeates the narrative with a dreamlike quality.
As the story unfolds, we are transported into a world where the traditional silver jewelry of Omani culture takes on new life. The silver is reimagined as a retro-futuristic material, coating the daily activities of the two women and symbolizing the liberation that women would come to experience in the future.
The two protagonists embark on a surreal journey through the country, a time when travel itself was a challenge. Despite the obstacles, they move with grace and fierce determination, engaging in activities that transcend the conventional expectations for women of their era. Their artistic expressions are set free, and they chase their dreams with an intense passion that permeates the narrative with a dreamlike quality.
As the story unfolds, we are transported into a world where the traditional silver jewelry of Omani culture takes on new life. The silver is reimagined as a retro-futuristic material, coating the daily activities of the two women and symbolizing the liberation that women would come to experience in the future.
Eman Ali has breathed life into "Banat Al Fi'9a (The Silver Girls)", a series of 20 images, using AI technology, creating a captivating story that explores the themes of freedom and the human spirit from the perspective of two young women who dare to dream.
Banat Al Fi'9a is a translation of ‘The Silver Girls’ into Arabizi/Arabish, a form of digital communication used in the Arab world where Latin letters and numbers are used in lieu of the Arabic alphabet.
Selected works available on Artsy.
Banat Al Fi'9a is a translation of ‘The Silver Girls’ into Arabizi/Arabish, a form of digital communication used in the Arab world where Latin letters and numbers are used in lieu of the Arabic alphabet.
Selected works available on Artsy.