On April 24, 2013, a monumental tragedy altered the lives of thousands of people and ended up with a death toll of 1134, according to official records. To mark one year of the Savar Tragedy, Pathshala South Asian Media Institute has organised a multimedia art exhibition 1134 Lives Not Number at the premises of Pathshala. Around 22 artists with their respective disciplines showcased the aftermath of the horrific accident and pays homage to the fallen souls, who were killed in the incident at Rana Plaza. Through the captured moments of the needless “accident,” through performance art reflecting the sorrow of the deprived, it attempts to leave a lasting mark on the minds of the viewers in the hope of avoiding the repetition of such a deadly incident that was caused due to the negligence of a specific group.
Curated by Mahbubur Rahman and Munem Wasif, the exhibition caters the haunted memories of the most disgraceful history in the ready-made garments (RMG) sector of Bangladesh. The curators said: “On April 24, 2013, Rana Plaza collapses, 1134 lost to senseless greed, lives lost due to collective negligence.
A dark day in the history of the garments worker’s lives, a nightmare which will terrorise people for years to come. Amongst the rubble, hidden beneath the stones, beams and bricks, thousands of workers lie enveloped in darkness, their dreams crushed under the weight of our negligence.”
Each artwork tells the story of RMG workers who were in the rubble of Rana Plaza for twenty days. At the entrance of the exhibition, an installation, Why God Why by Shulekha Chowdhury depicts the bloodshed of the nine-storey building. The red thread hanging, torn and tattered shirts and passport size photos of loved ones are the core objects of the mix media artwork that will hold the viewers attention. Another installation Mohamman Hasanur Rahman’s Buy 1 Get 1 Free showcases the dead victims trapped inside the rubble of the collapsed building. The trapped corpse has turned black which emanates the horror of the situation.
“World Press Photo Award” winner, Taslima Akhter’s Death of a Thousand Dreams is also on display. Her explanation of the artwork said: “Rana plaza collapse raises questions to national-international owners, brands and government about their role to secure working conditions. It also raises question about all citizens and consumer’s responsibility. With this documentary photo story, I have tried to portray the narrative of the death of thousand dreams.”
Abir Abdullah’s photograph captures a “moment” which shows a devoted husband caring for his injured wife, a survivour who lost a leg. Mahmud Hossain Opu’s photograph shows the culprit Sohel Rana’s trial at CMM court.
Dilara Begum Jolly’s installation Tazreen Nama showcases the horrific incidents of the garment factory on November 24, 2012, which indicates the deadliest factory fire in the nation’s history.