National identity : Exhibition tries to promote intercultural understanding

Showcases works of Vienna-based artists, their visual interpretation of ‘identity’

ISLAMABAD: An exhibition to promote intercultural understanding was jointly inaugurated at the Comsats Art Gallery (CAG) by the Ambassador of Austria to Pakistan, Dr Brigitta Blaha, on Wednesday.

The exhibition “Where are we?” is part of the Austria-Pakistan Music and Arts Festival, initiated by Renald Deppe and organised by the Austrian Embassy in cooperation with Pakistani partner institutes.

With this international art programme, “galerie hinterland” - an independent art space based in Vienna, Austria - sets up its temporary home in Pakistan.

It recently hosted an exhibition of Pakistani artists, curated by Aisha Khalid, in Vienna and is now presenting 13 artists from Austria in Islamabad.

The first in this series of exhibitions, took place in June 2015 in Tehran before it moved to Vienna.

Earlier this month, the exhibition was organised in Lahore.

The curator, Gudrun Wallenböck, eagerly interacted with art enthusiasts including diplomats, artists, and art directors, who appreciated the CIIT’s efforts for promoting art and its positive impact on society.

The exhibition comprises works of 13 Vienna-based artists, and showcases their visual interpretation of and understanding of “identity” and perception of history and historical images of “national identity” in a unique way. The artists include Azra Akšamija, Vooria Aria, Carla Degenhardt, Siegfried Fruhauf, Clemens Krauss, Constantin Luser, Stefan Arztmann, Lisl Ponger, Frenzi Rigling, Gabriele Sturm, Niko Wahl, Nives Widauer and Ilma Rakusa.

The exhibition will continue till Saturday May 28th.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2016.