17
Mar 2025
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Drama Classes for Kids
Mayoor Private School, 42nd St. Al Wathba South, Abu Dhabi, UAE
In her work, Sheetal Mallar focuses on the delicate, unspoken relationships that bind people to places, and on the layers of active and latent signals by which individuals signal their identity and aspirations. She has developed an extended portraiture of various urban subcultures and professional groups, exploring the tension between the individual personality and the collective context. Several of her ongoing projects engage with the interpersonal relationships and culture, topography, and narratives of popular Indian cinema. Sheetal explores the relationship between the individual personality and the collective context. Mallar’s photographic work has appeared in Architectural Digest, Verve, Motherland and Invisible Photographer Asia, among other publications and platforms. Mallar has exhibited in Goa Photo and the Terra di Cinema Festival, Sicily. Solo exhibitions include ‘Transients’, 2020 with Art Musings. Her self-published book ‘Braided’ premiered at the LA Art Book Fair in 2023 as well as the 2024 edition of the India Art Fair, with Art Musings.
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Philippe Calia is an artist, photographer and filmmaker, currently based in Bangalore.His work has received several awards and has been exhibited in various museums, galleries and festivals across Europe and Asia, including the Rencontres d’Arles (France, 2023) ; Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg (Germany, 2023) ; SIPF (Singapore, 2022) ; UP Gallery (Taïwan, 2021). In India, he is represented by TARQ gallery (Mumbai)His work primarily gravitates around two poles - the urban experience and the notion of memory. Often manoeuvring at the intersection of the still and moving image, as well as figuration and abstraction, he often incorporates mundane visual material through gestures of quotation, collage or erasure. Manners of perceiving, preserving and commemorating are always central to his approach.Since 2013, Calia has been collaborating as a photo editor with PIX, a platform for contemporary photography in South Asia. Between 2015 and 2020, he co-directed BIND, the first platform for photobooks in India with a public library based in Bombay (today JOJO Library).
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Zahra Amiruddin is an independent writer, photographer, and professor of photography who has been working in the field for nine years with a specialisation in visual practices and contemporary art. Apart from being featured in national and international publications, her main areas of interest include ethnographic studies, astronomy, personal narratives, and family histories. She has shown her work in solo as well as group exhibitions across Greece, South Korea, Indonesia, and India and is currently developing a collaborative project with Eight Thirty, a women’s photography collective. Last year, her work was published as the supporting text in a photobook about North Korea titled 'Between Doors.'
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Photographs as Architects of Memories and Emotions
Photographs wield profound influence over our memories and emotions, serving as
both mirrors and architects of our experiences. These visual artifacts not only
reflect what we have seen but also actively construct the narratives we choose
to remember. They possess a remarkable ability to evoke deep-seated emotions,
serving as poignant reminders that anchor our recollections and shape our
personal stories.
Beyond their personal realm,
photographs play a pivotal role in shaping collective memory and societal
discourse. Iconic images serve as touchstones for shared histories and values,
fostering a sense of identity within communities. They become catalysts for
collective reflection, influencing our understanding of the past and informing
our perspectives on the present.
In essence, photographs are not
passive records of the past but active agents in the construction of memory and
emotion. They hold immense significance in shaping our emotional landscapes,
personal narratives, and communal consciousness.
The Evolution of Photographic Memory: From Private Albums to Public Archives
The transition of personal photo
albums into public archives signifies a significant milestone in the history of
photography. What once existed as cherished keepsakes within family circles has
evolved into invaluable repositories of social, cultural, and historical
knowledge. This journey involves a series of pivotal stages, beginning with the
acquisition process, where photographs are sourced through donations,
purchases, and bequests. Each image undergoes meticulous cataloging,
accompanied by detailed documentation of its origin and significance. Finally,
through careful conservation efforts, these fragile artifacts are safeguarded
for posterity, ensuring their accessibility to future generations.
This transformation has played a
vital role in enriching our understanding of photography's role in documenting
the human experience. Formerly tucked away in personal collections, these
photographs now serve as essential resources for scholars, historians, and the
public alike, offering invaluable insights into bygone eras and the evolution
of photographic techniques.
The Future of Photographic Storytelling
As technology continues to evolve
and digital platforms shape the way we share and preserve memories,
photographic storytelling undergoes a profound transformation. Gone are the
days of traditional albums; now, each individual can curate their digital
museum, capturing both the mundane and the momentous moments of their lives.
Yet, with the rise of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), the
landscape of photographic storytelling enters a new realm of possibility.
These immersive mediums not only
breathe life into historical narratives but also elevate personal stories with
contextual depth, enriching the viewer's experience. However, as we embrace these
advancements, it's crucial to uphold the integrity of virtual photographic
storytelling. While technology enhances our memory capacity, it's essential to
remain grounded in authenticity and ethical practice.
