Performative Arts
The Karachi Biennale 2024 hosted a diverse lineup of performances that bridged art, culture, and community engagement.
Tino Sehgal
At Frere Hall, celebrated performance artist Tino Sehgal presented a two-week-long performance titled Live Art, composed of ‘constructed situations’ inspired by Sufi spiritual and classical Sindhi dance forms. These performances delved into the complexities of human pleasure, insecurity, and the teachings of Sufi dance as nourishment for the soul, encouraging reflective engagement with the audience.
Daniela Zambrano
Set against the backdrop of Bagh Ibne Qasim, Daniella’s performance highlighted themes of migration and colonial dispossession through the shared memory of the land. It was presented as a part of her painted mural on the colonial disruption of indigenous potato farming in her homeland Peru. The performance was a communal act of cooking potatoes (along with other vegetables and meat) with the ancient technique Peruvian using sand and stones. Slow-cooked in a large pot, the meal became a collective feast, symbolic of history and community.
Monika Emmanuelle Kazi
In a thought-provoking setup at Sambara Art Gallery, Monika’s performance examined the role of repetition in cultural transmission. Four performers including Monika transformed water into milk using a popular milk powder. Drawing attention to the extensive sale of this low-quality product in developing countries while it is banned in its country of origin. This poignant piece underscored the ethical implications of global trade and the kitchen’s centrality in shaping cultural practices.
Enora Lalet
Enora Lalet captivated audiences with her two performances at the inaugural at Bagh Ibne Qasim and Sambara Art Gallery. As The Vanish Creature, a hybrid character blending mythology and materiality, Enora used fluid movements and the act of offering food to invite audiences to confront their fears and values. Her evocative presence left the audience intrigued.
Lundahl and Seitl
Swedish duo Lundahl and Seitl presented River Biographies / That Which Is Not You but of Which You are a Part, a sensory performance at Frere Hall and at the Bagh Ibne Qasim at the inaugural. Using sightless goggles and headphones, participants were guided to experience life as water or stone, emphasizing interdependence and the fluid relationship between humans and nature.
The Table – Mahigeer aur Hum
Fazal Rizvi, Ahmer Naqvi, Luluwa Lokhandwala and Shabbir Mohammed worked with Fatima Majeed, an activist from the Ibrahim Hyderi fisherfolk community, to host Mahigeeroan ka Aangan. This activation featured a baithak and musical gathering, celebrating indigenous coastal recipes and culture. Musicians, performers, and community members came together at The Table, creating a space of cultural exchange and celebration.
Karolina Brzuzan
Karolina’s No Food – Starvation Cookbook reflected on global crises such as famine and corruption. By reconstructing meals from historical starvation experiences, she emphasized the stark realities faced by millions. Karolina in collaboration with PITHM * baked potato skins with local chefs, and served them at Sambara Art Gallery, transforming her work into an act of sharing and reflection.
Drum Circle at Bagh Ibne Qasim
Following a poetry session at Bagh Ibne Qasim’s reading room, the pier came alive with The Rhythms of Healing Drums. Led by jazz musician Burgers Buns and featuring renowned percussionists like Lawrence Gometz and Umair and Faran Qureshi, the drum circle offered an evening of rhythm and participation. This powerful performance fostered communal healing through the universal language of music.
Each performance at KB24 introduced innovative possibilities offered by the genre of performance art. Its immersive experiences not only celebrated art but also invited audiences to engage deeply with the theme Rizq I Risk and related global concerns.
