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‘The first time I felt art in my nose’: why a critic missed the point when he called my exhibition meaningless
Projects like London’s Backyard Biennial East are collective endeavors aiming to reach people who feel excluded by art galleries
TL;DR
- The author's initial encounter with art was Reetu Sattar's "Lost Tune" at the National Theatre of Bangladesh, which evoked a physical sensation.
- The author later experienced Adam Farah Saad's work at Camden Art Centre, which engaged the sense of smell through KA soda.
- The author's own artwork at Whitechapel Gallery draws from a childhood memory of Bengali sweet shops and involves daily maintenance by Oitij-jo Kitchen members.
- This collaborative artwork is seen as a descendant of "Lost Tune," emphasizing collective sustenance.
- A Guardian review questioned where meaning resides in art, prompting reflection on the Aldgate Pump as a symbolic gateway and meeting point.
- The author aims to make art spaces less scary and more inclusive, fostering a sense of belonging.
- Projects like Backyard Biennial aim to create conditions for people to encounter each other, their histories, and themselves, allowing for messy, partial, and collective meaning.