Karachi is a city of dreams for many who visit the cosmopolitan city for its ever-embracing nature. It is a melting pot of culture along with being Pakistan’s industrial and financial hub so the opportunities are endless, but unfortunately, the city of lights lacks entertainment avenues, much like the rest of the country.
Nonetheless, fret not Karachiites as the city will soon turn into a canvas with an art exhibition that you have never seen before. The resilient citizens have stood up again with a great initiative to bring art to the urbanized center with a theme about ecology; a subject that’s relatable, effective and engaging. After the successful first Karachi Biennale in 2017, the team has joined hands yet again to bring in a festive mood into the metropolis.
Timeline: Scheduled to take place from 26th October to 12th November, 2019 at seven different venues in Karachi, KB19 is an experience not to miss out. The entry is free and it is open to all without any pressure of buying the art pieces.
The fest is designed to create space for public engagement and to promote the love of art; both of which are ironically neglected in our region. The two-week festival will be open for tours of school children (with prior registration) from across the city on Monday to Thursdays. Fridays are dedicated to art schools, while Saturdays are for art teachers.
Theme: Using the platform of Pakistan’s largest contemporary art event, KB19 aims to start a conversation about the ‘ecological consequences of dense urbanization’. The festival wants to present a visual narrative of how development in the cities (more concrete and skyscrapers and less trees and nesting places) is resulting in extinct species, wasted bodies, sterile lands and poisoned waters.
