The Agony of Misconception: is the photographic research focused on perceptions of the Arab and Muslim community that has been conveyed by various media, and are rooted in the social and political issues that are prevalent in the Middle East. The traditional attire of robes, veils, and headdresses are seen as a key concept to denominated geographically region The Middle East and Islamic beliefs; The patterns and colors vary from country to country. The research focal point is The Contemporary Culture of The Shemagh and The keffiyeh in the ethnic group of Arabs. How has it become a symbol of Intangible Cultural Heritage to the Arabs of the region or a symbol of terror and Misconception to outsiders? Also, how the headscarf tradition is not specific to Muslims only, but to other minorities religious and ethnic groups of the region like Christians Arabs. The fabrics and the different ways it’s folded reveal the respect and attachment that these people have for their culture and religions.

Resume:
Martha Díaz Adam is a visual artist/documentary photographer of Lebanese descent born and raised in the Dominican Republic. Graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography, a minor in Art-History and Anthropology Studies from Utah State University.

The artist’s personal objective is to educate the viewer about cross-cultural understanding through her body of work. Independently conducting investigations regarding cultural heritage, traditional livelihoods, preservation of cultures, religious devotional practices, internal & external migration patterns, and the empowerment of oppressed ethnic groups.

Díaz Adam’s work has been exhibited/presented nationally and internationally. She has conducted visual-research in North / South-America and Southern-Asia.