Step Across this Line
An exhibition at Asia House featuring the work of cutting-edge young artists from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. www.asiahouse.org
Asia House , London    |   Curated by Deeksha Nath    |     Location: Main gallery, Asia House
10-22 October 2011  |   Opening Reception on Thursday 13 Oct, 2011 5:45 AM - Saturday 22 Oct, 2011
63 New Cavendish Street, London W1G 7LP  |   +44(0)20 7307 5454 , enquiries@asiahouse.co.uk 
The artists in the exhibition are: *From India: Abhishek Hazra, Priya Sen, Malik Sajad, Gauri Gill, Asim Waqif , CAMP (Shaina Anand Ashok Sukumaran)
*From Bangladesh: Naeem Mohaiemen, Hasan Elahi, Firoz Mahmud and Wakil Rahman
*From Pakistan: Ayaz Jokhio, Unum Babar, Saira Ansari and Mehreen Murtaza
Urgency of Proximate Drawing` , Firoz Mahmud.
This exhibition, curated by Deeksha Nath features the work of cutting edge young contemporary artists from South Asia. Despite political and religious divisions and problematic histories the new generation of artists share ideas and visions, stepping across the lines that divided them. Their work, in various media including video and installation explores their colonial past, their regional, national and post-national identities.
The three neighboring countries have had a fraught modern history and the tensions are very much alive politically and religiously, yet against this backdrop are shared cultures, icons, religions, languages, families, cuisines and cricket. The younger generation of these three countries have more in common than not and share a common ground of ideas and visions. They do not share the memories of stories of colonial rule or the horrific memories of partition of their grandparents.



Installation image of Firoz Mahmud`s `Urgency of Proximate Drawing [NinKi : UoPD]`

With the beginning of Independence and partition there have been wars, mass migrations, border disputes, accusations of terrorist activity and failed attempts at reconciliation. Bangladesh, once East Pakistan, until India assisted in its war to gain self-rule and freedom from West Pakistan, has been India’s ally and Pakistan’s nemesis. The question of Kashmir looms between any Indo-Pak dialogue, as do recent terrorist attacks. The exhibition asks a larger question: Can we consider what we ourselves mean to each other? Do we love or hate? Do we love and hate? When we all come together in the UK and in London, who are we, individually, nationally and regionally? Should this exhibition travel to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh?

More info: http://asiahouse.org/news-and-analysis/detail?id=10
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/step-across-this-line--picture-preview-2369871.html?action=Gallery&ino=2
http://www.events366.com/Events-List/Private-View-Step-Across-this-Line-E110921450.aspx
http://www.aaa.org.hk/WorldEvents/Details/19263
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pakistans-contemporary-art-indian-school/1/157445.html
http://www.artnet.com/magazineus/news/corbett/frieze-art-fair-10-11-11.asp