Photography conference: Fourteen artists and photographers present papers
7th THAAP conference concludes with last day dedicated to art and scope of photography
Speakers at the concluding session of THAAP conference. PHOTO: EXPRESS
LAHORE:
The seventh international THAAP conference concluded with its last day dedicated to presenting papers and discussing the art and scope of photography in Pakistan.
Around 14 artists and professional photographers shared papers for the first international photography conference.
The conference was organised in collaboration with Camera for People and Government College University and Information Technology University together with the support of Higher Education Commission.
Keynote speaker Umair Ghani, a freelance photographer and writer said there had been many photography-related activities in the city before, however, this was the first time an international conference was dedicated towards discussing the dynamics of photography in Pakistan
The first paper of the day was presented by photographer Abdul Waris Hameed titled ‘City of the Departed Souls’. He discussed and appreciated survival skills of certain civilisations, particularly the Hazara community in the face of different adversities and disasters.
While Ayesha Bilal presented ‘Ganda Kapra: Nations First Die in Big Cities’ which was about the assimilation of the minority communities in Lahore. Ayesha particularly focused on the marginalised Christian community.
‘A Tale of Two Cities’ by Rabbania Shirjeel and Ramis Abbas was based on a famous story about Purans and how it impacted the understanding of society and human existence.
Discussing the dynamics of staged protests by so-called ‘stage actors’ hoping to uproot society, ‘Insight into Dynamics of Protests and Demonstration’ was presented by photographer Amna Yaseen. The fifth paper was presented by Mujahid Torwali on “The Invading Tourist: Curse of Tourism Swell”. The presenter highlighted how the beauty of Swat valley remains unexplored due to generalised fear and misconception about the valley being the core place for terrorism and lack of government attention to crucial development.
Another paper by Nashmia Haroon was presented on “Aesthetics of a System Default”. The artist tried to capture the essence of Pakistan’s identity as it emerged from the cacophony of issues buried deep within structures of steel and concrete.
An interesting and relevant paper was presented by Ammara Nawaz Khan titled ‘People and the City: Perspective of an Immigrant’. The experience of Ghalib as an immigrant in a city with ever-changing dynamics and his innumerable encounters with people around him were highlighted and discussed.
Other papers included ‘Photographic Image and Urban Sensibility’ by Aamir Shahzad, ‘A walk in the dust’ by Mehreen Mustafa and Ibrahim Mehmood, ‘Slumabad’ by Muhammad Sabir. Artist Sadaf Chughtai presented “We are the Mirror and the Face in it” among several others.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2016.
The seventh international THAAP conference concluded with its last day dedicated to presenting papers and discussing the art and scope of photography in Pakistan.
Around 14 artists and professional photographers shared papers for the first international photography conference.
The conference was organised in collaboration with Camera for People and Government College University and Information Technology University together with the support of Higher Education Commission.
Keynote speaker Umair Ghani, a freelance photographer and writer said there had been many photography-related activities in the city before, however, this was the first time an international conference was dedicated towards discussing the dynamics of photography in Pakistan
The first paper of the day was presented by photographer Abdul Waris Hameed titled ‘City of the Departed Souls’. He discussed and appreciated survival skills of certain civilisations, particularly the Hazara community in the face of different adversities and disasters.
While Ayesha Bilal presented ‘Ganda Kapra: Nations First Die in Big Cities’ which was about the assimilation of the minority communities in Lahore. Ayesha particularly focused on the marginalised Christian community.
‘A Tale of Two Cities’ by Rabbania Shirjeel and Ramis Abbas was based on a famous story about Purans and how it impacted the understanding of society and human existence.
Discussing the dynamics of staged protests by so-called ‘stage actors’ hoping to uproot society, ‘Insight into Dynamics of Protests and Demonstration’ was presented by photographer Amna Yaseen. The fifth paper was presented by Mujahid Torwali on “The Invading Tourist: Curse of Tourism Swell”. The presenter highlighted how the beauty of Swat valley remains unexplored due to generalised fear and misconception about the valley being the core place for terrorism and lack of government attention to crucial development.
Another paper by Nashmia Haroon was presented on “Aesthetics of a System Default”. The artist tried to capture the essence of Pakistan’s identity as it emerged from the cacophony of issues buried deep within structures of steel and concrete.
An interesting and relevant paper was presented by Ammara Nawaz Khan titled ‘People and the City: Perspective of an Immigrant’. The experience of Ghalib as an immigrant in a city with ever-changing dynamics and his innumerable encounters with people around him were highlighted and discussed.
Other papers included ‘Photographic Image and Urban Sensibility’ by Aamir Shahzad, ‘A walk in the dust’ by Mehreen Mustafa and Ibrahim Mehmood, ‘Slumabad’ by Muhammad Sabir. Artist Sadaf Chughtai presented “We are the Mirror and the Face in it” among several others.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2016.