26 Oct – 8 Nov 2019
An artist’s shifting representations and reflections of the material realm need not only serve to exist as subjects of aesthetic pleasure. Rather, the exhibits in question can become the tools with which to inspire progress. Modern day Karachi, with its chaos and contradictions, could use the power of the visual arts as a channel of discourse, advancing cultural and political discussions that have long been overdue.
The upcoming, highly anticipated Karachi Biennale of 2019 (KB19) seeks to be that platform of initiative, creating a ‘public art presence’ in the city to showcase emerging talents and transformative art exhibits.
Founded in 2016, the not-for-profit Karachi Biennale Trust (KBT) represents a collective of dedicated educators and accomplished art professionals in collaboration to promote the visual arts. They are ultimately a citizens initiative with corporate support, networking with local and international bodies to use the medium of art to unravel and reveal the many microcosms within Karachi.
The Karachi Biennale is KBT’s all-encompassing, city wide art intervention, and the second of its kind. The first Karachi Biennale 2017 (KB17) was curated by the renowned local artist Amin Gulgee, receiving mostly glowing responses and exceeding expectations in many ways.
Two years later, KB19’s process has begun, with a curatorial vision that is layered and particularly compelling. Focused on the false narratives and ecological degeneration associated with notions of development, the Karachi Biennale of 2019 is in many ways a large scale attempt to promote sustainability and the preservation of our natural environment.
Karachi’s ecology has been decimated – replaced with structures of concrete, linings of tar and shades of grey. We are a population alienated from nature, framed in the endless cycles and machinations of the sprawling urban landscape.
With the use of unconventional mediums and a variety of venues, KB19 asks its artists to explore the depths of Karachi’s ecological degradation in order to further deconstruct and visually replicate the cultural roots and origins relevant to our modern day sustainability crisis.
With the KB19 many months away, the team is currently conducting exemplary community engagement and outreach efforts to raise awareness and build momentum for the grand unveilings.
They already organised three ‘discursive roundtables’ between January and March 2019 in partnership with Alliance Francaise de Karachi, addressing issues of urbanisation and displacement, the mass proliferation of fake news and the presence of security barriers that are simultaneously physical and social boundaries.
They also collaborated heavily with the Orangi Pilot Project on numerous endeavours, including the establishment of a KBT-OPP artist’s residency and a workshop for young teenagers that culminated in the making of a library. It is currently the only Children’s Library in Orangi.
With many more months of outreach efforts before the main exhibition, the Karachi Biennale of 2019 will be a hugely significant event for Karachi. You can help this valuable art intervention gain traction and make a lasting impact by following our KB19 series of articles right up until the Biennale in October.
