2015

Shirin neshat: a soulful nomad in search of a home

Shirin Neshat’s work, like “Women of Allah,” reflects a personal journey of “homecoming” to post-revolution Iran, blending politics with artistic expression. Through powerful imagery—veils, guns, and calligraphy—she critiques both the Iranian regime and Western perceptions. Her video installations, such as “Turbulent,” explore gender divides, while her feature film “Women without Men” delves into themes of oppression and transcendence, embodying her complex relationship with her homeland.

Ordinary girl | in conversation with cristina nuñez

“We live in an age of selfies,” but Spanish photographer Cristina Nuñez delves deeper, using self-portraits as self-therapy. From heroin addiction and depression, she explored extreme emotions—rage, despair, terror, and euphoria—through photography. In conversation, she reveals how her “extreme life” connects to her rigid, fascist ancestry and how expressing vulnerability becomes a strength, transforming “shit into diamonds.” Differentiating self-portraits from curated selfies, Nuñez’s exhibition “But Beautiful” at Chobi Mela VII showcases her introspective journey, turning raw, human emotions into art.

Senses beyond vision: in conversation with Mahbubur rahman, guest curator of Chobimela VIII

Britto Arts Trust’s Mahbubur Rahman, guest curator for Chobi Mela, infuses the traditionally medium-centric festival with a multidisciplinary approach. He champions immersive photographic installations that engage all senses, aiming for a psychological shift in viewers. Rahman curates contrasting exhibits by Abdollah Heidari and Alexandra Serrano at Britto, designing a journey of consecutive emotional shocks. He sees Chobi Mela bridging the gap between fine arts and photography, pushing boundaries with workshops and diverse media despite resource limitations.

Bridging mediums: conversation between an architect and a photographer

Chobi Mela VIII collaborates with notable Bangladeshi architect Salauddin Ahmed as a guest curator, exploring the synergy between architecture and photography. Ahmed seeks to create immersive experiences, pushing audience engagement beyond traditional viewing. He embraces budget limitations as creative catalysts, designing unique spaces for artists like Michel Le Belhomme and Dinesh Abiram, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue in Bangladesh’s art scene.

About Us

Chobi Mela, the first festival of photography in Asia, is one of the most exciting ventures that Drik and Pathshala has initiated. The first Chobi Mela – International Festival of Photography was held in December 2000 – January 2001. It is the most demographically inclusive photo festival in the world and is held every two years in Dhaka.