Where are we: Where else but Vienna!

Exhibition featuring work of Viennese artists underway

LAHORE: Where Are We—an exhibition featuring the work of 13 Viennese artists commenced on Monday at Alhamra on The Mall.

The artists have addressed questions pertaining to identity, personal perceptions of historical understanding and perceptions of national identity. The exhibition has been organised by the Austrian Embassy in collaboration with Hinterland—an Austrian gallery—dedicated to promoting multicultural and interdisciplinary projects with emerging and established artists from Middle east, especially Iran.

Hinterland curator Gudrun Wallenbock said that the exhibition had been titled so as it featured artists originally from the world over who were now based in Vienna.

Azra Aksamija—one of the featured artists—relocated to Vienna from a strife-ridden Yugoslavia. She grappled with foreign traditions in her adopted country. In her work, she primarily focuses distinct cultural ethos and tries to find a way to navigate them. This makes the artist’s life and research worthwhile.

Iranian artist Vooria Aria’s work is premised on his own culture and its history. His interest in this took root after spending years away from Iran. He tries to depict the journey of his life in his work—from looking back at his formative years—to having been able to build a new life for himself abroad while maintaining the unique identity he was born with. Euros and Pounds features the work of Carla Degenhardt who came of age in Argentina. The artist has used the mediums of conventional embroidery and different currencies such as the Egyptian Pound to represent desire. In her work, money, stocks and shares take a graspable form.  Swiss artist Frenzi Rigling started keeping a diary a long time ago. According to routine, she etches a particular outfit she wears on any given day and documents how it unfolds. Using only a line and no colours, she allows one to observe her choice of attire and her personality.

Gabriele Strum identifies with permeable borders and overcoming obstacles like fences and barriers. In her research, she strives to find ways to conquer fear to surmount boundaries. There is always a chance to move to the other side, she says, alter one’s opinions or resist.

Nikho Whal devoted a few weeks in Iran to studying histories of families in 2015. He focuses on micro narratives—small memories woven together—to formulate a large picture, possible one with historic impact.

The work of other artists Siegfried Fruhauf, Clemens Karuss, Constantin Luser, Stefan Arztmann, Lisl Ponger, Ilma Rakusa and Nives Widauer is also being displayed at the venue in connection with the exhibition. The event will conclude on May 21, 2016.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2016.