A quantum leap for local art

It's a declaration of belief that uncertainty can be beautiful and that questioning can lead to discovery. Such moral is vivified through a medley of artworks in Edge Gallery's '9+ONE: Interdimensional Journeys Part II'. It embraces uncertainty as the motif--its multidimensional effect on life in ever-evolving social milieus.

When Edge Gallery first launched '9+ONE: Interdimensional Journeys' two years ago, it felt like something new was happening on Dhaka's art scenes. It was fresh, bold, and full of imagination. Now, with Part II, the exhibition has returned, this time stronger, deeper, and more confident.

Curated by SS Anmon, the show maintains the same concept as before: nine artists and one invisible "+ONE," which represents memory, time, or anything more complex than we can readily comprehend. This updated version, however, goes farther. By fusing various events, mediums, and concepts into a single, continuous narrative, it bridges the past and present.

A moving experience: The exhibition is not static. The curator describes Edge Gallery's approach as "moveable curation." That means the layout varies from time to time, making each visit feel fresh. By displaying numerous artists' works on the same wall, the gallery moves away from the concept of individual celebrity and toward a shared, collective experience. The end product is a colourful blend of voices, with many styles and ideas combining to create a single experience. It encourages viewers to look, listen, and feel, rather than simply identifying who created something.

Art that asks questions: One of the show's most notable features is its wide range of materials and styles. Visitors will view woodcut prints, ceramics, oil paintings, and even installations, which is a first for Edge Gallery. The woodcut by Faizur Rahman Firoz depicts a baby creeping toward a dazzling lollipop in a factory wasteland. It's a powerful portrayal of how greed and pollution endanger innocence.

Ashim Halder Sagor explores the consequences of the digital world, utilizing social-media symbols to demonstrate how we are constantly monitored and influenced by technology. The enormous, vividly crimson paintings of a figure in traditional bridal attire strongly confront how women are perceived in society today, combining tradition and current identity. These artworks do not provide clear answers. Instead, they make us reflect on who we are and the kind of world we are building.

Room for growth: A critical look: It isn't, however, a flawless presentation of abstract motives. While the show is undeniably a success, two aspects might be improved to match the brilliance of its central theme. The original eighteen artists' concept of "memory and time" +ONE is no longer relevant due to its abstraction. This crucial notion is lost on the average attendee since there is no concrete connection between the two shows. To make the voyage really "interdimensional," the gallery could have included a tiny visual aid, such as a digital display or a small printed log, displaying a few artworks from the previous show alongside their thematic echoes in the current one. Memory requires a map.

Second, while the inventive use of varied media is admirable, however it frequently lacks context for non-experts. When presenting the gallery's initial installation or experimental ceramics, just naming the item is insufficient. The impact of these new shapes, particularly in a conventional market, would be enhanced by brief wall notes describing the method or the significance of the artist's choice of that specific, difficult material. The depth of the medium demands explanation.

Art with a purpose: Edge Gallery's mission extends beyond the confines of the exhibition. The display features a dynamic conversation event titled "Art, Artist, and Society," in which artists and visitors exchange thoughts about the significance of creativity in our lives. More importantly, a significant portion of the proceeds from the show will go to children's education through Edge, The Foundation. This important link between art and social responsibility serves as a reminder that creativity may alter people's lives.

A new chapter for Bangladeshi art: The 9+ONE: Interdimensional Journeys Part II feels like more than just an art exhibition. It's a declaration of belief that uncertainty can be beautiful, and that questioning can lead to discovery. Edge Gallery demonstrates how contemporary Bangladeshi art may continue to thrive through bold ideas, collaboration, and passion. This exhibition invites us to enter a space where art and life intersect, and imagination allows us to experience the world in new ways.

Irina is an art critic and former student of the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka.