Join us for a curator’s talk and discussion with international visiting curator John Tain (Hong Kong), who discusses his research and art interests as appointed Curator – Of Mountains and Seas, the third edition of The Lahore Biennale 2024, that focuses on ecology and sustainable futures. He will also discuss his previous work as Head of Research at Asia Art Archive, Hong Kong.
For this talk John Tain introduces the methodologies that informs the research and thinking behind the Biennale exhibition, that draws on Lahore’s history and the fabric of the city, to highlight vernacular and indigenous heritage as potent resources for imagining future sustainability. The biennale will showcase place-making by devoting a number of projects on The Mall, a historical centre for public expression and cultural activity. By actively implementing forms of solidarity between artists, thinkers, researchers, and the broader community, the biennale project highlights the issues caused by environmental degradation and how local climate, eco consciousness, archaeology and urban issues of Lahore’s city are increasingly global.
To give context, Tain reflects on wider curatorial practice in the public sphere, drawing on recent projects that include Translations, Expansions, AAA’s contribution to documenta fifteen (2022); Crafting Communities (2020), on the social practice of the Womanifesto collective and Women Make Art History (2018), the Guerrilla Girls’ first new commission in Asia.
This talk is presented at part of the new initiative IRELAND INVITES organised by IMMA, Hugh Lane Gallery and Culture Ireland.
