The second edition of Dhaka Art Summit, an initiative of the Samdani Art Foundation, one of the biggest platforms for South Asian art, begins today at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
Featuring over 250 artists from the region, the summit has been organised with the aim to support the development of South Asian art, bring museum-quality exhibitions to Bangladesh and promote international artistic exchange.
The three day art festival will include: solo projects, curated exhibitions, an ambitious public art project, a talks series, performances, experimental film screenings, and presentations by 33 local and international galleries.
The event is supported by the British Council, the Goethe Institut, Alliance Française, Swiss Pro Helvetia and the Bangladeshi artist collective Britto Arts Trust and is being sponsored by the conglomerate Golden harvest Group and telecommunication company, Airtel Bangladesh. Dhaka Tribune is a media partner.
14 artists of international critical acclaim will present solo projects responding to Bangladesh.
A line-up of experimental film and performance art curated by Mahbubur Rahman will showcase the works of CAMP, Nikhil Chopra, Htein Lin, Bandu Manamperi, Aung Min Min, Sunil Sigdel, Arko Sumon and more.
33 leading international artist organizations and galleries are supporting this edition of the Dhaka Art Summit with presentations of South Asian contemporary art.
A range of group exhibitions will also be showcased.
This year, the Samdani Art Foundation has collaborated with the Delfina Foundation (UK) to award an outstanding young Bangladeshi artist the opportunity to attend a three-month residency at the Delfina Foundation in London as part of the bi-annual Samdani Art Award.
Here are some quotes of participating artists, curators, art critics and art lovers about how they feel and what they expect from the grand event:
Sourav Chowdhury (Executive Artistic Manager, Gallery Cosmos and Cosmos Atelier71)
Looking forward to meet new artists and galleries from South Asia and get familiarised with their work. Gallery Cosmos will have a booth at DAS and we have created a folio with a collection of works from our gallery artists especially for the summit.
Ruxmini Choudhury (Student, History of Art, Dhaka University; Intern, Dhaka Art Center)
It’s hard to say what I expect to see at Dhaka Art Summit. I expect so many things; I expect to see some wonderful contemporary works, conceptual, new media, installation works.But most of all I want to see art works, ideas that I have never been exposed to before: new themes, new ways of expressing them, new approach towards the contemporary art of South Asia.
Mahenaz Choudhury (Coordinator, Talent management, GraphicPeople|SoftwarePeople; art enthusiast)
I’m hoping to see the vibrant expressions of amazing artists of the South Asian region and learn about their culture and in the process learn about mine too. Meet the artists and learn about different perspectives of various subjects and get inspired to create some extraordinary pieces of my own. This summit is going to help me get some direction for my amateur artworks.
Biren Shome (eminent artist)
I think it will be good because few selected artists are participating in the summit. Galleries from different countries will be showcasing their collection. It will be a great source of inspiration and exposure for local artists too.
Md Amirul Momanin Chowdhury (Professor, Department of Fine Arts, Rajshahi University)
This is a great initiative because many galleries will be brought under one roof. Local artists will get to expose their work in front a wide audience base. I would like to see such summits more often, possibly once every year. Young artists of our country should be given more opportunities because they are very talented.
Veeranganakumari Solanki (curator of Citizens of Time exhibit)
There are so many exciting events, exhibitions and talks that are scheduled during the Dhaka Art Summit – I think it’s the entire edition of the 2014 Dhaka Art Summit, which I’m keenly looking forward to. I am sure this is going to be a fantastic event with all the efforts and support of the Samdani Art Foundation.
Md Muniruzzaman (curator of the Liberty exhibit)
I plan to visit every corner of the Summit and look at every artwork I possibly can. I believe the Dhaka Art Summit is a great platform for the Bangladeshi art scene to showcase itself along with its South Asian counterparts.
Rosa Maria Falvo (curator of the LifeBlood exhibit)
At the moment I look forward to relaxing with friends, seeing new works and new artists along with that planning a future for Bangladeshi art and a platform for South Asia.
Shumon Ahmed (Samdani Award Nominee)
It’s an interesting beginning for Bangladeshi artists, and especially for South Asian art. People usually associate South Asia with India and Pakistan, but DAS is creating a platform for people to see beyond that. DAS’ initiative ignores the barbed wires around us, and in turn has created a meeting point for a very big family.
Ayesha Sultana (Samdani Award Nominee)
I’m eager to find out how the diverse works on display at DAS engages and resonates to a larger audience. The viewer is crucial for the works to exist. I’m especially looking forward to the performance and experimental film screening events curated by Mahbubur Rahman.
