Urban culture and aesthetics are evolving rapidly in this age of globalisation and to walk us through the changing stages of Dhaka, Studio 48, an art collective consisting mostly of young artists arranged a group exhibition titled “Lost in The Urban World” at the Dhaka Art Center, Dhanmondi from May 31.
Fahmida Enam Kakoli, Monjur Rashed, S M Ehsan, Kuntal Barai, Jahid Hasan and S M Muzahid Monir take the spectators on an insightful journey about the arts and culture of the booming city and its historical predecessors.
The evolution of the city is portrayed through varying colours, bold strokes, texts and installations. The artists demonstrated their niche using photo realistic art in a post-modern form. According to the them, the concrete urban world is developed by destroying the beauty and artistry of nature and has replaced the purity of authentic art with mock art and culture.
The rapidly spreading consumerist society and urbanisation is removing people from their roots and the installations in the exhibition are reminiscence of the missing roots.
Fahmida Enam Kakoli’s piece titled “Selfie,” is a critique of the inherent narcissism of contemporary society.
A wooden piece shaped in the form of a rickshaw hood with a collage of various objects and illustrations is titled “Lifestyle,” the artwork has many elements that will definitely hold the attention of the spectators. Artist Rafiqun Nabi, Abul Barq Alvi, dean of the Fine Arts Institute of the University of Dhaka and Mustafa Zaman, art critique and editor of Depart magazine were present at the inauguration ceremony. The exhibition will continue until June 5.
