Category Archives: Blog

رنگ خدا

Posted on September 4, 2015 by admin

Here’s a scene from the Iranian film رنگ خدا (lit. “Color of God,” marketed as “The Color of Paradise”) which I included in my new article, “From Leprosy to The Willow Tree: Decoding Disability & Islamic Spirituality in Iranian Film.”

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

From Leprosy to The Willow Tree…

Posted on September 3, 2015 by admin

The House is Black (dir. Forough Farrokhzad)

I’m humbled and honored to have my new article on disability in Iranian cinema, “From Leprosy to The Willow Tree: Decoding Disability & Islamic Spirituality in Iranian Film,” published in the latest volume of the excellent journal Disability & Society. This spring, I had the opportunity to share this research at the Rethinking Disability on Screen symposium at the University of York. Since my last publication on Iranian film explored the earliest films ever produced in Iran, I’m very pleased to be sharing my current interdisciplinary research on diverse representations of disability and spirituality in recent award-winning Iranian films.

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

The Screaming Seas…

Posted on September 3, 2015 by admin

With Syrian refugee friends in Beirut (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

I am heartbroken every day when I read about the deaths of so many refugees in the sea. When I see photos of dead Syrian children washing up on shore, I can’t help but think of all my young Syrian refugee friends in Beirut from the “lost generation” — who have known nothing but extreme suffering and trauma over the past several years due to the Syrian war. When “my Syrian boys” requested a boat ride last year to take photographs and video for our art project together, I never could have imagined how many thousands of Syrian lives would soon be lost to the sea. How many more refugees have to suffer and die before we abandon complacency and put an end to the conflicts shattering the lives of so many around the region?

Exploring the Mediterranean Sea (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Postcard from Zanzibar…

Posted on September 2, 2015 by admin

Enjoying Zanzibar (Photo: Robert O'Dell)

Here’s the view from the dining room of our hotel in the UNESCO world heritage site of Stone Town in Zanzibar…

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Mji Mkongwe…

Posted on August 31, 2015 by admin

Exploring Zanzibar (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

It was a dream come true to fly to Zanzibar & wander the historic streets of Stone Town (Mji Mkongwe in Swahili)…

Flying as co-pilot to Zanzibar (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Lion Around…

Posted on August 30, 2015 by admin

Exploring Tanzania (Photo: Robert O'Dell)

While on safari in the Serengeti, my family and I observed seven lions in one tree — enjoying an afternoon nap. When the pride finally stirred, they slithered down the tree to a fresh carcass below for a mid-day snack. Witnessing these powerful creatures in the wild is an experience like no other–but sadly their numbers are dwindling. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there are now just 25,000 to 30,000 lions in Africa, down from 75,000 in 1980.

Snack time (Photo: Robert O'Dell)

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Postcard from Zanzibar…

Posted on August 29, 2015 by admin

Exploring Zanzibar (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

I got lost in the lemongrass, while exploring medicinal spices and herbs with my family in Zanzibar…

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Savitsky Museum…

Posted on August 28, 2015 by admin

Visiting the Savitsky Museum in Karakalpakstan (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Since the Central Asian and Russian avant-garde collections of the Savitsky Museum in the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan are my favorite in the world, I was disheartened to read in the NYTimes about the current controversy affecting the museum. If you’re planning on traveling to Central Asia soon, make sure to pay a visit to this spectacular and historic institution, called the “pearl in the desert” and “Le Louvre des steppes,” while its unique artworks are still under one roof…

From the Savitsky Collection (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Into the Wild…

Posted on August 28, 2015 by admin

Exploring the Serengeti (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

My family and I have spent most of August marveling at wildlife, while on safari in the national parks of Tanzania…

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Struthio Camelus Massaicus…

Posted on August 27, 2015 by admin

Exploring Tanzania (Photo: Robert O'Dell)

When my family and I were exploring Ngorongoro Crater, my brother snapped this close-up of a snacking ostrich…

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Wise Words…

Posted on August 27, 2015 by admin

Exploring Tanzania (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

In my experience, I’ve always found it a good idea to let sleeping lions lie…

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Tai Chi in Tanzania…

Posted on August 22, 2015 by admin

Practicing tai chi at Olduvai Gorge (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

While on safari in Tanzania, I took some time to practice tai chi on the ledge overlooking the fossil beds of Olduvai Gorge. From Lebanon to Africa and beyond, I enjoy practicing tai chi in as many diverse landscapes as possible. For me, as an archaeologist, Olduvai Gorge–the site of many important fossil discoveries–holds a special appeal…

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Ngorongoro Crater…

Posted on August 21, 2015 by admin

Exploring Tanzania (Photo: Robert O'Dell)

When my family and I set out at 5 am to explore Ngorongoro Crater, the first “big five” animal that we spotted when the morning fog lifted was this endangered black rhino wandering among the wildebeests. It was a majestic start to our spirited caldera safari…

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Serengeti Sunrise…

Posted on August 20, 2015 by admin

Waking up in Tanzania (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Nothing like greeting the sunrise with breakfast, music, and animal friends in the Serengeti–pure peace in the endless plains…

Posted in Blog | Comments Off