In my ongoing project “Umm al Raml: Tracing the Dots” series, I merge digital and ancient technologies, specifically Ilm al-raml (science of sand) divination, also known as geomancy, to explore and challenge the exclusion of women as spiritual leaders and prophets in Islamic literature and societies. By creating a digital realm informed by divination, I navigate the question, “Where are the female prophets?” through stories of women whose spiritual journeys have been marginalized.
The desert, significant in Iranian literature and Sufism, symbolizes an in-between space for spiritual encounters. A 3D scan of my body, representing the character of Umm al Raml, navigates this digital realm via divination signs. I used Ilm al-raml divination as a method of navigation, exploring the future, past, and present of female prophecy. The women I interviewed became mediators between us and the invisible realms through their visions.
I utilized Blender for 3D modeling and animation, scanning my own body and those of four interviewed women to create an archival, immersive landscape. Using augmented reality masks over the interviews to maintain anonymity, I collaborated with sound artists and graphic designers to enhance this digital space. The 3D scans of personal objects from these women create an archival landscape, preserving their histories.
By interviewing women from different generations, I captured their spiritual journeys, creating a digital archive that connects us across time and space. It was important to bridge the gap for those distant from technology, creating a virtual existence that felt deeply personal. Their stories often mirrored my own childhood memories, grounding me and fostering a connection within our diaspora community.
