Kabutar – Urbain

Kabutar in Urdu is translated as pigeon or dove which is a universal symbol of love, peace and freedom. Civilizations in ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece, and South Asia used messenger pigeons over 3,000 years ago. In India before partition, pigeons were trained to deliver letters to lover and as messengers. Our current state of the world is suffering from wars and genocides. Many countries are surviving the ordeal of wars at present and many have survived wars in the past. Every country has an inimitable visual culture which serves as a universal language for identity, resilience and hope for their nation. Kabutar is an initiative to collaborate with artists from different countries with Pakistan who carry a message of peace and harmony in art forms.

For the exhibition in 2019, artists have created work under certain specification to manage the logistics. Each work carries a message of harmony and tranquility to influence political impact in a peaceful language of visual arts.

At present, Kabutar has been evolved as an artist residency to collaborate and produce work with Pakistani artist and host of the residency. Artist will be living and producing work at the studio which are located in her apartment. This apartment has hosted various foreign travelers during last few years hence it fulfills the necessary requirements. Visits to local galleries, jamming sessions by musicians and theatre events can be organized for the visiting artist.
About Mehreen Hashmi
Mehreen Hashmi is a Karachi-based visual artist and curator with a Fine Arts degree from the Indus Valley School. She has curated exhibitions, including the Karachi Art Summit, and has exhibited her work globally in the last 17 years. She has received multiple honors and actively promotes cultural exchange and public art projects in Pakistan and Europe.
www.mehreenhashmi.com
Residency fee 300 USD is to cover the accomadation, and living cost. In case of an event, extra funds will be required depending on the chosen venue. Its a self-hosted artist residency hence we do not have any funds.
An invitation letter can be provided in case of applying for grants.