Comments on: In Complete Solidarity

By: Teeth Maestro

Teeth Maestro — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 07:57:21 +0000

Do join everyone at the KPC at 4:30 to protest against the vandalism

http://teeth.com.pk/blog/2009/04/13/press-conference-at-kpc-against-the-vandalism-arts-council-430pm-shanaakht

By: jz

jz — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:04:07 +0000

I am not offended by it. And personally I think we should not put any qualifiers with any art form.. its just that when we go out to do a public display that we have to exercise restraint, caution and use common sense to decide what qualifies to be displayed considering how sensitive people are specially when it comes to religion and politics.

Otherwise, art is all about expression and everyone should have the freedom to express any and everything.. no restrictions, no boundaries..

By: Rameez

Rameez — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 13:09:37 +0000

Sabeen I completely agree. We as a people need to stand up and stand beside CAP, VASL and Nilofer Akmut showing our solidarity. That is if we want history,art and culture to thrive in Pakistan for our future generations. CAP truly is doing phenomenal work and it is unfair that the organisation and sharmeen have to go through this fiasco. I really can not wait to come back to Pakistan at the end of this month and work at CAP again.

By: Bina

Bina — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:17:52 +0000

@jz – As a Muslim woman, and a Sindhi, I found that picture vulgar and in very poor taste. I might add that I’m not in power anywhere. I did not feel that the piece spoke to MY identity; however, I would not demand that it be taken down because if I want to protest, I’ll use the power of my words, rather than the power of my fists or the barrel of a gun.

I stand by my earlier assertion that with art must come social responsibility. We must look to the moderate path: not bend to demands of blatant censorship, but not succumb to the narcissism of “my art, at any cost”. In the crucible of our city and nation and the time we live in, and given that the Shenaakht Festival was not just about art but also about society, culture, and identity, this balance is more vital than ever.

@zak – sorry for the earlier confusion of identity! I misread the names.

By: Voices against the crime of ruining our Shanaakht | Tea Break

Voices against the crime of ruining our Shanaakht | Tea Break — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:17:37 +0000

[...] In Complete Solidarity- Beanz [...]

By: jz

jz — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 10:39:18 +0000

Picture is not offensive to anyone of us I suppose. It is offensive only to those in power.. they are goondas, they have no respect for anyone or anything.. they dont care two hoots about art and identity. Thats the tragedy. As a society, we havent evolved really. Nevertheless, the incident should not pull anyone down. It was an oversight yes but this should not become the reason for a complete wrap up. Shanaakht must return. It should rebound with a bigger bang now.

By: Zakintosh

Zakintosh — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 10:16:15 +0000

@ak … nuff said about the picture being offensive to some of us. but it may be pleasing to others. the artist is perfectly at liberty to express her views. just as you are. despite the fact that i am offended by your tone and the suggestion that serious action be taken against anyone.

surely you don’t think CAP, VASL and all others who worked so hard for this festival of unity are anti-PPP or BB-haters. I recall the grieved reactions of some among them when BB was murdered.

so, ok. someone goofed. we’ve all (including me) had our knee-jerk reactions, many without access to the full facts and fed by distorted media reports. but let’s move forward.

CAP’s wonderful work must go on. The festival must take place soon … rather than later, WITH government protection and no censorship by a particular party. Self censorship after discussions within CAP and other participants is what is right.

VASL must participate and carry on their projects that include a great deal of experimental work.

A date must be set for the Press Club protest and PPP leadership, instead of further placating their party members (they’ve already done that over these days) must attend it and unequivocally & unconditionally announce support for all forms of art, while apologizing to the festival attendees who were mistreated by some of its jiyaalaas and for the goods that were damaged or stolen that night.

By: Maha

Maha — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 08:56:46 +0000

@ ak and jz

Yes, u are right! The picture was really objectionable and rather distasteful. The picture certainly did not blend in with the overall theme that Shanaakht that presented that day.

BUT!!!

The Political party’s actions are certainly not justified. I mean okay! They have a right to be angry , but come on !! Terrorizing, hundreds of people, and vandalizing the place is not a balanced outcome. If they had teared down JUST that objectionable picture, ONLY it we would respect the political party, but this was simple “gunda gardi”.

By: aa

aa — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 08:51:26 +0000

I stand by your observation that the placement of that particular piece in the context of the festival was an act of of utter stupidity. As an artist and designer, I can somewhat grudgingly admire the piece for being a rather blunt and scathing satirical commentary on Pakistani politics in general – what I cannot fathom is why this particular piece was placed in a festival celebrating unity and hope. It is a sad observation that yes, our artists do live in a sense of disconnect with the world at large.

Not withstanding, I can understand that VASL would be terrified at the thought of censorship being imposed on all future endeavors, not to mention the safety of the artists involved, but it would have been prudent if more attention had been paid to the context in which the artworks were to be displayed (and there were several pieces that worked at cross-purposes to the theme and vision of the festival).

By: ak

ak — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 08:46:25 +0000

Im one the most loyal friends of CAP, i think thr whole idea about CAP itself and Shanaakht is brilliant,
what happened two days back was bad…Ive been reading a lot about it, people commenting on the fact the PPP has become like Taliban n stuff and thr whole act was outrageous n all…i partly agree with that BUT just calm down and look at the other side of the picture, look at the OFFENSIVE piece tht so-called artist made in the name of ‘freedom of speech and expression’…
y dint the CAP ppl checked the entries that were coming to them b4 putting them on a festival which was on such a grand scale?…
How is it possible tht this one entry skipped out of thr eyes?….
And wht are these VASL ppl upto, we dnt even see and not even hear any statement from thm apologizing or anything?…
whr is that WOMAN(artist) who made this photo montage gone?…
that art piece which was offensive, it made me so angry after looking at it, y wont the party workers be like wht they did …just imagine if something related to MQM’S leader would be in it what would’ve happen?…damaging would be a very small thing thn…
so YES wht happen shouldn’t hve happend in the first place BUT that piece was also disgusting and thr should be some serious action taken on VASL and that artist not on sharmeen or CAP…coz VASL is also a big name our biggest artist are involve with it, were they sleeping?, iam sure not coz thy also think its a right to show ur opnion BULL SHIT to this freedom…Im an artist myself and i dnt agree that this is some kind of ethical thing to do…