While the world was going crazy in anticipation of the 8.08.08 Olympics fever, Karachi had its own version of the magnificent 8 – the 8.8.8.8. photography exhibition, which had Karachiites driving in hordes to the snazzy Commune Artists’ Colony. The idea was to bring together photographers on a platform to exhibit their out-of-the-box ideas on fashion… to push fashion out of its boundaries and let the world see fashion as ‘they’ see it. The concept and execution were carried out solely by the photographers with no external help, save the designers and make-up artists, of course. Can fashion be fashion without these two?
The event welcomed all, to the venue, on the designated date and was it some attendance? At least 300, if not more, guests made it to the exhibition making it a rare turnout, for such a congregation is unheard of as far as art exhibitions go. Anyone and everyone, who is a ‘someone,’ ensured they did not miss this event-of-the month.
As the title is self-evident, 8 photographers with varying levels of expertise gathered at the Commune to showcase their efforts in this special exhibition - Tapu Javeri, Arif Mahmood, Izdeyar Sethna, Amean J, Yousaf Bashir Qureshi, Rizwanul Haq, Kohi Marri and Shamyl Khuhro - each conjurer had presented their interpretation of what fashion is to them.
Tapu Javeri had incorporated Photoshop in his photography (a technique that is frowned upon by artists). “By utilising Photoshop, I tried to create art out of this technique. There was a lot of manipulation in layers and images. The final outcome was not Photoshop, yet, it could not be achieved without the same,” explains Tapu. The designer for Tapu’s creative work was Rizwan Beyg who had dressed up the stunning Iraj Manzoor, Nadia Hussain, Annie Ali Khan and Fauzia.
Arif Mahmood decided to use soft focus employing the black & white technique in the dark room. Says Arif, “Since this exhibition was about how a photographer views fashion, I wanted the image to be totally mine, in which the model and the designer only assist in the fantasy. The image becomes the focus of the lens in line with my mind, or should one say in sync?” he concludes. Trevor Castelino had specially designed a couture outfit for Tooba.
Amean J. created a circular image called the fish eye. He had worked on the theme ‘tolerance’ - the image was of somebody peering into Amean’s life. His model, Iraj, had been clothed by Nida Azwer.
Iraj was, once again, the model for Izdeyar Sethna, who did silhouettes. It was a presentation of graphic images balancing each other.
Kohi Marri worked on movement, where he took a panoramic image of Sheema Kirmani dancing in a Bunto Kazmi jora. He had laid great emphasis on distribution of light and movement.
Regarding his image, Shamyl Khuhro says, “In my mind, the image was clear from the very beginning. It had to be evocative, containing sheer black fabric, knotted and draped in contrast with hard and cool concrete - and the subject, a dramatically lit, beautiful and statuesque woman. This is the result,” he reveals referring to the amorous Fayezah Ansari dressed up in Fayez Agariah’s outfit.
As for Rizwanul Haq, he preferred to stay conventional with his interpretation of fashion and instead of employing the services of a designer, he opted for Lunda bazaar apparel for his model.
Yousaf Bashir Qureshi used himself and a model in his image where he ponders on emotions. He has dealt with emotions through fashion photography.
It was a ten-day event and those ten days seemed to fly by – literally. It is such exhibitions that need to be encouraged as opposed to the oft repeated staid (read boring) ones. It’s good to see at least somebody’s ready to step out of the limits!n
