A group photo-documentary exhibition “Bakshir Haat” is on at Dhaka Art Centre till July 29. The display is organised by Jog Alternative Art Space and inaugurated at Dhaka Art Centre on July 19. Chittagong based artist group, Jog Art Alternative Space, caters to explore the new media such as video documentary, installations, photography and many more to unveil the prominent sites of Chittagong. The exhibition is the outcome of a workshop conducted by photo journalist Kumar Biswa.
The show is about stories based on artistic perspective through the lens. The artists had their liberty to present their story in their own language by having a photo story of life on cleaners, hawkers, fishermen and specific sites of Bakshir Haat, Chittagong. Bakshir Haat has a rich history in the port city. As the place is located near the Karnafuli River, it has flourished with different professions.
People from all over the world came here for trading, mostly the Arakans and the Mughals. Due to their visit, cultural exchange took place and the region became a hot spot for anthropologists and tourists alike. Bakshir Haat is a significant historical site due to its rich landmark, such as, famous mazaar of Badar Shah, the fort Anderkilla and many more.
Artist Zihan Karim stated that: “We captured the prominent sites of Chittagong and Bakshir Haat as the group’s preference.
We saw Wednesday’s Bakshir Haat which we translated through our lens and documented in images. In time, Bakshir Haat will be transforming and giving different aspects to the people. It is unknown how people saw Bakshir Haat in the past. In our exhibition, I have a multimedia production along with four videos and seventy photos.”
Inspired by British photographer David Hamilton, participant Riyad Mahmud had captured various professions of the mass. His photographs explain how people live in the streets and earn their own living.
Zahed Ali Chowdhury Yuvraj expressed, “The Haat is losing its identity. During my photo shoot, I discovered an orphanage, where I spent most of my time with the children. I was amazed to see their routine life. Besides, Bakshir haat is a secular space with mosques and temples in the same area. I captured the metaphor of human lifestyle.”
Besides, Rupayan Barua, Shaela Sharmin, Shohrab Jahan, Raju Acharjee, Omar Faruk, Kumar Biswas, Hussain Mahmud, Shuchayan Paul, Mishuk Ahsan, Farhana Priya, Jublee Dewan had documented the everyday life and other aspects of the site.