Since it started on January 23, the eighth instalment of Chobi Mela international photography festival in the capital has been expectedly brilliant in bringing in some of the finest work of photography from every continent.
The two-week exhibition this year spans across a number of venues – six galleries at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, galleries in Drik, Allaince Francaise de Dhaka, the newly built Daily Star-Bengal Arts Precinct, the National Museum, outdoor locations at Bokultola in the faculty of fine arts of Dhaka University, Britto Arts Trust, near the river in Old Dhaka, the quaint Beauty Boarding, the Northbrook Hall, and Bulbul Lalitakala Academy.
In addition, a smaller version of the entire festival tours the capital in rickshaw vans, taking the galleries to the public.
To say the range of photographers exhibiting their work at the festival is impressive would be an understatement. Names like Shirin Neshat, Larry Towell and Simon Norfolk are there, shoulder to shoulder, with previously unseen student work, which have made it to the mix through sheer quality.
Taking this years theme – Intimacy – artists have taken liberty in interpreting it and the result is a collection of pictures that range from hilarious, to quirky, to profound, to provocative, to relative.
One surprise this year is the large number of shows by photographers from the countries in the former Soviet Union.
Lectures, panel discussions, talks with the artists, gallery walks, workshops and portfolio reviews are some of the activities taking place this year, most of which are streamed live to a global audience. The celebrated photography event closes on Friday.