↳SOHAILA MOSBEH                                                                 PROJECT LIBRARY
 














SF*


NYU Thesis - Social justice + Creative coding  
Origin: Egypt                                   Cause: Body autonomy


This project is an immersive audio-visual installation examining the role of shame and cultural control over women in Egyptian society. It highlights how shame is weaponized to discipline women’s bodies, enforce silence, and govern public behavior, particularly in the face of sexual violence.

During the 2011 Tahrir Square protests, the brutal assault of the "girl in the blue bra"—a veiled woman beaten and stripped by soldiers—sparked national outrage and chants of “Egypt’s daughters are a red line.” The state and media perpetuate this double standard, enforcing societal "guidelines" to dictate acceptable behavior for women. Those who transgress these boundaries, often merely by existing in public spaces, are vilified, discredited, and subjected to violence. These narratives silence women, manipulate their worth, and enforce compliance with patriarchal norms.

This research centers on the experiences of Egyptian women within this cultural framework, examining how shame operates as a tool of control. Simultaneously, it acknowledges the fetishization and lack of understanding Western societies often exhibit toward Egyptian women, further complicating their representation and voice. The purpose is to amplify their stories, creating space for Egyptian women’s voices to challenge both internal cultural oppression and external misconceptions.

Images feature prominent egyptian women.



























Thesis Research Chapters:

  1. An Anthropological Perspective: Examines the cultural and societal contexts from an anthropological lens.

  2. The Blind Cat Syndrome: Discusses societal issues related to gender norms and control mechanisms.

  3. Sorry Uncle, but Screw Your So-Called “Family Values”: Explores cultural implications of patriarchal family structures.

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A. storyboarding, narrative squence 

Role & Contributions

  1. Concept & Narrative Development: researched and conceptualized the project’s themes, framing a compelling narrative around shame, control, and resistance.

  2. Storyboarding: created detailed storyboards to visualize the project’s structure and sequence, guiding the audio-visual narrative.






















B. Install material components 





C. Overall installation layout

Technical    

  • Created generative visuals combining protest imagery, archival footage, and motion graphics.

  • Designed immersive soundscapes integrating chants, spoken-word poetry, and ambient noise in collaboration with music producer Hassan el Sadek.

  • Directed film sequences with visual storytelling, filmed by Hany Osman.

  • Partnered with graphic designer Ali Heraize for cover art that aligned with the installation's themes.

  • Modeled and planned 3D installation, integrating spatial arrangement with visuals and sound.

  • Sourced and selected materials to ensure authenticity and thematic relevance.

  • Integrated dynamic lighting and responsive elements for an engaging, multi-sensory audience experience.



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