Inaugural and Closing Ceremonies
The Fourth Karachi Biennale KB24 was inaugurated on October 26 ,2024 with a memorable ceremony at the historic Bandstand, Bagh Ibne Qasim. The Bandstand, built in 1920, was illuminated for the event and it came alive with live music, bringing back memories of its heydays. The guests were also introduced to its history through a visual presentation on the walls of the Bandstand.
The Chief Guest, Mayor Murtaza Wahab emphasized the importance of preserving Karachi’s heritage and shared his vision for transforming heritage venues like Frere Hall and the Bandstand with music for visitors. The guests included the Sindh Minister of Culture, diplomats, artists, and prominent citizens.
Niilofur Farrukh, Managing Trustee and CEO of Karachi Biennale Trust welcomed the guests to the fourth iteration of the Biennale. She also reiterated their commitment to exhibiting museum-quality contemporary art in public spaces and heritage sites public and fostering collective memories through it.
On the occasion two prizes were awarded, the KB24 Juried Art Prize was presented by the jurors to the Hunza-based duo Nadeem Al Karimi and Maham Nadeem for their video installation titled The Last Act and Dismantling Life. A trophy was also presented to Anusha Khwaja who for her proposal for Hawah’s Garden: Threads of Nature won the KB24 EBM Emerging Artist Prize and got a chance to develop her project for the Biennale. She was presented with the trophy by Dr Zeelaf Muneer, CEO of English Biscuits Limited (Pvt).
The guests were also enthralled by three performances. Sheema Kirmani, Pakistani dance maestro presented a special piece she had created on the theme of women’s role regarding Rizq I Risk. French artist Enora Lalet’s performative work Vanishing Creatures focused on her elaborate costume-crafted items of confectionery, which she also handed out to the audience. The participants were able to experience River Biographies created by Lundahl and Seitl.
The vibrant, mela-like atmosphere, illuminated by fairy lights attracted guests to the video installation of the Tamasha Collective on top of the pier. Here they could enjoy kulfi on a stick and paan as a part of the festive, sensory experience.
During the Inaugural Ceremony, the guests also got a special preview of the works installed at Bagh Ibne Qasim.
Jamshed Nusserwanjee Building, previously known as the KMC building located on M A Jinnah Road was the venue of the KB24 Closing Ceremony. It was held within the City Council Hall, where on weekdays, the representatives of Karachi have been meeting since the 1930s. It was well attended by artists and prominent citizens.
Niilofur Farrukh, Managing Trustee of Karachi Biennale Trust, thanked Karachi’s citizens and international artists for their support and engagement. She emphasized the need to “set up a contemporary art museum in Karachi” so citizens can see exciting art throughout the year.
Two prizes were awarded, the recipients of the KB24 Performance Art Prize were the Swedish duo Lundahl and Seitl for their immersive work that connected participants with nature. The jury selected the work of the students of the Textile Institute of Pakistan as the most outstanding at the KB24 collateral exhibition, Artists of Gaza Live in Our Hearts. They were presented with a trophy and certificates. The students of the Department of Visual Studies received the Special Mention.
