AANGAN, THE COURTYARD
London Design Biennale 2018
Mariam curated and designed the Pakistan Pavilion for London Design Biennale, 2018 at Somerset House. The installation combined textile, moving imagery, sound and interactive digital art to create an immersive experience. It shed light on the work of female artisans from rural Punjab and celebrated their role in the textile cottage industry.
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The installation used garment as a symbol of identity. "It is deeply connected to the construct of a community and its perception of self. The garment, as a gauge, is the first data point of introduction. As a canvas, it becomes a reflection of one’s own perception of self."
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The thirteen foot helix constructed of cotton textile, stitched and embroidered by the artisans, formed a canvas for the projection of moving imagery and interactive digital art. "Images communicate cultural messages, they are the language of our time. The films explore the emotional relation of the artisan with her craft as she creates. Where the needle between fingers makes two ends meet, the craft of the artisan transcends beyond self expression, firmly rooted in self preservation it is testament to their rich personal journeys as mothers, daughters, wives and breadwinners."
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PRESS
9 UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES AT THE LONDON DESIGN BIENNALE 2018
"Responding to the movement of the spectator, the garments are transformed into a live canvas, displaying the human stories of its creators. Pieces are animated by words and images in movement, offering insight to the world of local artisans."
10 MUST-SEE INSTALLATIONS AT THE 2018 LONDON DESIGN BIENNALE
"Curated by Abid Majid and designed by Mariam Majid, Pakistan's installation will explore the concept of habituation in relation to craft making; the introspective nature of the task and the inner worlds of the artisan through film projections and computerised art."
LONDON DESIGN BIENNALE: ‘EMOTIONAL STATES’ – AROUND THE WORLD IN AN AFTERNOON OF SENSORY DELIGHT…
"A positive and uplifting exhibition, Pakistan’s contribution to the biennale captures how traditional handiwork and embroidery skills are lifting women out of poverty and increasing their status in society."
SOMERSET HOUSE PODCAST
In this podcast Sir John Sorrell, president of the London Design Biennale guides us though a selection of the installations and their designers, focussing on the work displayed by four countries: Latvia, Greece, Lebanon and Pakistan.
ART PORTFOLIO
Selected Installations and Sculptures
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