A solo exhibition of photographic works, drawings and videos by Bani Abidi (MFA 1999) is being held at the VM Art Gallery.
Emphasising
on people in their relationships to each other and their surroundings,
she explores the myriad moods and modes of our communication within the
paradigm of social practice.
Divided in three parts the exhibit revolves around our diversity and direct as well as mediated interactions.
In
the first part of the exhibit a video installation titled "Reserved” is
on display which revolves around a state dignitary’s arrival in the
city. The video depicts the usual hoi polloi of traffic jams, school
children with paper flags lining up to wave at the passing motorcade
and an anxious reception committee of bureaucrats pacing up and down a
red carpet. The second part of the exhibition titled
"Intercommunication Devices” shows different types of intercoms,
symbolising non communication. It is a collection of digitalised images
of the devices collected from different houses on a street in DHA. It
examines the barrier created by this single small device between the
privileged and the restricted.
Whereas, "Karachi Series – 1”,
the third part of the exhibition takes into account the ever increasing
ethnic, religious and cultural homogeneity in the city. The series
showcases photographs shot at dusk during the month of Ramadan, when
most Muslims of the city are breaking their fasts with their evening
meal.
Bani Abidi, born in Karachi in 1971, received her Bachelor
in Fine Arts from the National College of Arts, Lahore in 1994 and
acquired a Masters in the same discipline from the School of Art
Institute of Chicago, USA in 1999. Abidi has worked primarily in video
for the past seven years and her videos have been exhibited widely in
solo and group shows nationally and internationally.
Her current show at the gallery will continue until March 17.
Print to Page
Email to a Friend