Text | Shanzay Subzwari
–
Photography | Humayun Memon
–
Issue 47
–
I walked into the gallery space of the Alliance Francaise de Karachi, greeted by an assortment of creative media that was organized by Goethe Institute Karachi. The large-scale collages and mixed media pieces that adorned the walls soon gave way to a number of identical screens, where videos displayed scenes of different lengths, speeds and hues, flurrying into each other. Nearby, beyond the black veil, stood the largest video installation, waiting to be seen.
The artist, Marcel Odenbach, is primarily known as one of the youngest pioneers of the 1970s’ video art scene in the German-speaking world. ‘Tranquil Motions’, curated by Matthias Muhling, is an IFA travel exhibition that brings together his complex oeuvre with selected works from the past 3 decades, from video tapes to video installations, to works on paper that were displayed in Karachi for the first time at the behest of Goethe Institute Karachi. It included 10 video installations, collages and mixed media 2D works on paper.
At first, I took my time to enjoy Odenbach’s large, luscious collages of varying imagery. An architecture student in Aachen from 1974 until 1979, Odenbach ordered his thoughts with artistic confidence in the form of drawings. Large scale paper works on the walls displayed imagery such as close-ups of football players’ legs mid-play which were painted, overlapped and collaged in various ways, to delicately cut flora and fauna, to ripples of water – all revealing hundreds of smaller images coming together to make these large-scale collages. My favourite, however, was ‘Snow White’, another large-scale collage on paper that displayed heavy laden, luscious apples hanging on boughs amidst full, green leaves. A closer look revealed a myriad of tiny, hidden images from different sources. To Odenbach, this piece represents one particular theme in its myriad forms. Inspired by Snow White and The Seven Dwarves by The Brothers Grimm, the apple, being the fruit that Snow White was enticed to take a bite of by the Evil Queen, is seen as a symbol of seduction. Each individual apple displayed a cluster of images that dealt with a different aspect of seduction, from religion, media, sexuality and fame, to finally, a personal comment by Odenbach of his own family tree where the apple was taken as an emblem of ancestry.
In the late 1970s, Odenbach started using video work, tapes, installations, performances and drawings to probe the cultural identity of his native Germany. Perhaps one of Odenbach’s defining qualities is his ability to draw seemingly unusual parallels in his works. In his videos, the harrowing effects of Nazi rule in Germany have been compared with the Rwandan Genocide, images of masculinity in Turkey offset the role of women in Venezuela, and he has drawn connections between his own biography and the history of others. Odenbach is known to have quoted, “The question of identity, and of German identity in particular, played a role in my thinking as early as the 1970s, also, of course, due to my critical engagement with the past. I personally never really had negative feelings about the role of the exile; it always seemed to me to be rather enriching.”
The first video I saw on one of the identical black monitors with headphones on was ‘Standing Is Not Falling’ (1989). From the point where I began watching, the video of a man getting a haircut was offset by dramatic, disturbing imagery of a man being shot at, continuously, as part of a street execution. All this was contrasted with African chants and people clapping in rhythm. The mundane was paralleled with the disturbing. Black and white selections from television reports and newspaper clippings were combined with individual staged scenes in colour. The piece, true to its title, compared the concepts of standing and falling; being physically fit and politically steadfast versus being on the receiving end of violence. The juxtapositions and overlapping imagery made the piece unsettling, to say the least.
‘As If Memories Could Deceive Me’ (1986), on another black monitor next to it, welcomed the viewer with its drumming sound. Starting with an orchestra rehearsal in colour, the video piece transitioned to a child playing a piano in black and white, with the piano keys seen from the perspective of the player. Superimposed on this imagery were images of German baroque architecture and historic shots of folk dances. Soon, the child playing the piano fell asleep and Odenbach took his place. Briefly, as the keys played, terrifying documentary footage from the Nazi era appeared on the lower half of the screen, showing Hitler’s rise to power, book burnings and Nuremburg Trials. In another shift of imagery, male models, colourful shots of shop windows and men’s clothes dazzled the screen amid catchy beats, which presented German consumer culture of the 80s. The parallels drawn made the video an ‘indissoluble conglomerate of dream worlds and recollections, shaped by historic imagery’ .
Perhaps the highlight of the exhibition was the video piece, titled, ‘In Still Waters Crocodiles Lurk’ (2003/2004). The longest piece at 33 minutes, it was displayed by the gallery on a massive wall in an area separated by a black curtain. This piece continuously displayed two screens running parallel to each other, and could be seen by a number of people at the same time. The video was divided into seven chapters; I was able to watch Chapters 3 to 6.
Chapter 3 opens in a big room. We see village life in Africa, which we later realise is Rwanda in particular. Regular village activities such as milking cows, making food, and cleaning take place. The lack of water is emphasised as people sip water from run-down cans. The perspective of the video Is voyeuristic. It’s the view of a person experiencing everything first-hand, but a little too intimately. Soon, the video shifts to blurred imagery of people being hit and killed, a child searching for his family, and screaming, with the screens alternating with imagery.
Then Chapter 4 opens. There are heavy rains, and the viewer gets the sense of moving with the landscape. The close-up scenes of the waves in the sea are superimposed with images of dead bodies, giving the effect of seeing them through a veil or glass. The video is morbid. Scenes of an overcrowded village, men crying, are contrasted on the left with calm imagery, smoke or mist rising slowly. Odenbach provides an interesting contrast; he juxtaposes calm scenes with passionate ones. There are fighters, rebels, poor kids staring at the camera, and in essence, at the viewer of this video piece. The role of the ‘other’ has been reversed; the seen have become the seers, and the seers, the seen.
In Chapter 5, there is harmonious music. The bright green beauty of nature is contrasted with the sparse poverty inside; there are dirty clothes, poor farmers, and what seems like a burial ground on the left screen. The music makes it seem like something tragic has happened. The act of laughing seems out of place. Scenes flow seamlessly into each other. Soon, workers unloading bricks can be seen. It is amusing to see that their uniform is pink shorts.
Chapter 6 reveals to us what the burial ground is; we see inscribed the number of genocide victims buried in the cemetery in April 1994; it is a staggering 11600. Clippings from the 90s of a political party leader are seen addressing the public. He doesn’t seem warm. Then we see a newer clip of kids playing football. It is very green.
I learned later that this video piece chronicles the Rwandan genocide which took place between April and July 1994, with almost all victims being Tutsi; the second largest population division among the three largest groups in Rwanda and Burundi. Drawing on historical documentary material and footage from the United Nations film archives, Odenbach’s video examined the Rwandan genocide’s consequences in a country that must bring the killers to justice, while also building reconciliation between the ethnic groups. While we did not see any explicit images of the crimes themselves, we saw ordinary scenes in idyllic, seemingly calm environments, with the soundtrack often quoting propaganda by the Hutu tribes; the ones whose government carried out the genocide.
As Odenbach worked on this film, perhaps he had felt a strange connection with it, that for him the piece became an encounter with his own history. Growing up in post-war Germany among victims and perpetrators, Odenbach drew parallels to his own childhood in Cologne: the reticence, the closed curtains, and the children unable to shout. The take away from the exhibition were mixed feelings and a heavy heart. It is evident that the works and videos, with their unusual contrasts and heavy material and imagery had moved me; the last video piece in particular.
Click here to Subscribe
About the Author:
Shanzay Subzwari is an artist and writer with a BFA from the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture. She has had solo and group exhibitions in Karachi and Lahore. She has been writing art reviews and articles for various publications and galleries since 2014.
Also tell your doctor if you or any of your family members have or have ever had an eye disease such as retinitis pigmentosa an inherited eye condition that causes loss of vision or if you have ever had sudden severe vision loss, especially if you were told that the vision loss was caused by a blockage of blood flow to the nerves that help you see generic cialis tadalafil Tadalafil and Cialis is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction, with a longer effective time from dose to dose than medications like Viagra
Side effects for this medication can include headaches, flushing, upset stomach, abnormal vision, runny or stuffy nose, back and muscle pain, nausea, dizziness, and rash how to buy priligy in usa
Drug is convenient and pleasant to use it has a pleasant fruit taste and at the same time it is quickly absorbed into the blood stream, beginning to work in 20 minutes cialis online ordering Generics of Cialis are analogues of original Cialis, which have become widespread in recent years among consumers both in the United States and in many other countries
The average monthly benefit for children under 6 is about 33 but varies greatly from month to month cialis prescription online Patients with conditions that might predispose them to priapism such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia , or in patients with anatomical deformation of the penis such as angulation, cavernosal fibrosis, or Peyronie s disease are at an increased risk
Tables 1 and 2 show baseline characteristics of children and mothers according to conception methods. clomid for men side effects , Reproductive Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
I saw your article well. You seem to enjoy baccarat online for some reason. We can help you enjoy more fun. Welcome anytime 🙂
Most studies of these models found an increase in both atretic and cystic follicles, but with some models having either atretic or cystic follicles dominant. buy nolvadex
Thus, our work provides a platform to further dissect the cellular mechanisms that underpin early cognitive deficits and loss of plasticity in early AD 60. doxycycline throwing up
Ruberto E, et al lasix magnesium Chandrasekher G, Sailaja D
Hello2. And Bye2.
гостиницы сорочинск вакансии в отеле мрия в ялте
отель бельмонт златоуст пансионат автомобилист сочи официальный сайт онегин саратов
гостевой дом в козельске петровский дворец гостиница елки калуга гостиница
санаторий министерства обороны сочи тубус для носа
отели евпатории с бассейном светлый санаторий тюмень ул широтная отдых по системе все включено в подмосковье
реабилитационный центр апрель белорусские турфирмы отель олимпия волгоград
анапа маяк на карте города 1389 отель и спа
пансионат факел ооо газпром трансгаз ставрополь отель богатырь сочи цена за номер лиготель
спа отель тульская область все включено таврия в крыму гостиница в кашире
гостиница сибирь тюмень буковая роща железноводск официальный
гостиница на волге гостиница хантри сергиев посад гостиница базис м москва
вертекс спа отель красная поляна агрыз гостиница санаторий бакирово цены на 2021 год
отели сочи 1 линия гамма сириус сочи отзывы
the ritz carlton moscow черное море витязево отели и гостиницы санаторий дагомыс цены на 2021
санаторий северная ривьера ленинградская область официальный сайт ай даниль отзывы 2021 хостел в муроме недорого адреса цены
лучшие отели в сукко хостел ясень пермь
отель мини санаторий рябинка евпатория отзывы пансионат детский
санаторий березы ессентуки официальный сайт виктория ессентуки официальный сайт клиника би пятигорск официальный
санаторий бирюза фото санаторий анненские воды стоимость путевки
санатории опорно двигательного гостиницы в реже свердловской области гостиницы новороссийска цены
сан зеленая роща сочи центральный детский санаторий пятигорск официальный сайт гостевой дом хижина робинзона феодосия
санаторий сосновый бор казань отзывы лучшие семейные отели подмосковья
путевки по карте мир отель сокос олимпия гарден санкт петербург отель люкс богородск
санатории увильды санатория светлана водопады горячий ключ
минская 16 талассотерапия показания
пансионат весна туапсе официальный сайт городок лазаревское официальный сайт санаторий днепр в крыму
отдых на майские праздники пансионат творческая волна коктебель официальный голубая бухта санаторий геленджик официальный сайт
роза шале официальный сайт цены хостел арбат 42 москва
forrest lodge karelia санаторий с грязелечением в подмосковье золотой колос новый год 2022
санаторий талка геленджик официальный сайт турбаза торнадо хостел кунгур официальный сайт
центральная усадьба коломна официальный сайт санаторий в архипо осиповка
отель алекс бич абхазия гостевой дом уют судак витязево аквамарин
военный санаторий сочи отзывы глория отель крым отель оптимист должанская отзывы
сочи мини отели и гостиницы с питанием отель villa adriano красная поляна
гостиницы екатеринбурга 4 звезды армянская церковь ялта история спа в южно сахалинске
надежда кабардинка официальный сайт цены лучшие отели таганрога зимний отдых в подмосковье
тимашевск отели архыз цена
гранд отель чита пансионат для детей с родителями отели в бийске
украина палас гостиница в россоши гостиница центральная биробиджан
пятигорск официальный сайт города станция литвиново
отель росси в спб отдых в абхазии цены 2021 гостиница на тульской москва
отель форт севастополь отель ялта интурист крым отзывы петрухино клуб серпухов
кабардино балкария море отель на варшавском шоссе
гостиница люкс арзамас экстрим парк оренбург цены смоленск отели и гостиницы
путевки в гурзуф отель демократ на некрасова хостел любава великий новгород
Sometimes this lump is tender or sore injectable ivermectin
Все серии сезоны
алтайский край отдых цены 2021 санаторий
санаторий bridge resort сочи
анапа эллада санаторий официальный
mriya resort spa фото
гостиница озерная надым
ибис нижний новгород гостиница
курорт рядом с анапой
остановка пансионат знание адлер
buy priligy in uae 4 1 Ml Syringe 100 mg ml Syringe 23
city park hotel sochi 4
цены на квартиры в кисловодске
аквалоо карта
спорт отель дивный дивногорск
денарт отель сочи адрес
мини отель в хабаровске эконом
гостевой дом ореховая роща красная поляна
джемете селена
гостиница 21 век котельники
классик армавир
бутик отель тбилиси
лучезарный резорт
дома отдыха карелии
отдых в россии с детьми
виктория плаза переславль залесский
санатории подмосковья с лечением
шебекино белгородская область гостиницы
санаторий дубрава железноводск отзывы
HRP cojugated secondary antibodies were purchased from ProteinTech Wuhan, China clomid calculator Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may do so safely
ессентуки металлург
санаторий мо рф сочинский официальный сайт
алтай где отдыхать
мини отель шоколад
белокур белокуриха официальный сайт
лучшие отели недалеко от москвы
mexican vacations cancun
paradise cancun resort and spa
how much doxycycline for dogs In the Toronto study, hot flashes were observed in 29 of patients for Tamoxifeno Vir tamoxifen citrate vs
cancun all-inclusive resorts adults
all inclusive cancun vacations with flight
achat stromectol Arden AjxAGOzHgHnZTOE 6 27 2022
cancun all inclusive resorts packages
cancun vacations all inclusive
is cancun cheap
family friendly all inclusive resorts in cancun
packages to cancun all inclusive
cancun mexico best all inclusive resorts
best swim up rooms in cancun
best family all inclusive
fun resorts in cancun
[url=http://alansab.net/forum/member.php?u=822947]booking a trip to cancun[/url]
cancun casino resorts all inclusive
which all-inclusive resort in cancun has the best food 2021
all inclusive resorts cancun packages
hoteles cancun todo incluido
all.inclusive cancun resorts
all inclusive resorts in cancun mexico
hotel in cancun price
cancun family friendly resorts
cancun topless resort
vacation to cancun packages
pharmacy world ed pills online canada
https://zithromaxpills.store/# where can i purchase zithromax online
ivermectin price comparison stromectol 3 mg price
https://metformin.pro/# metformin 1000 mg pill
https://zithromaxpills.store/# how to get zithromax over the counter
safe canadian internet pharmacies canada drugs online
https://canadiandrugpharmacy.best/# best canadian pharmacy online
hot dating match plenty of fish
https://tadalafil20mg.fun/# tadalafil canada
https://pharmacyshippingtousa.icu/# best online pharmacy no prescription
https://datingonlinehot.com/# plenty fish date site
long-term use of clomid in males Further prospective investigation for therapy are the risk of breast cancers are currently the world
nizagara duphalac pareri Гў I think that people may not know our names, but that doesnГў t matter to us, Гў Herzlich said cialis reviews 2 months versus 14
https://cheapestedpills.com/# top rated ed pills
promotes the proliferation, migration, and inhibits apoptosis of prostate cancer cells early signs of pregnancy after clomid We offer shipping anywhere in the USA
https://cheapestedpills.shop/# ed meds online
https://noprescriptioncanada.shop/# no 1 canadian pharmacy
https://noprescriptioncanada.com/# overseas online pharmacy
https://noprescriptioncanada.com/# safe canadian internet pharmacies
https://noprescriptioncanada.shop/# canada medicine
canadian neighborhood pharmacy canadian pharmacy worldwide
Very amusing message
——-
виртуальный номер польша continent telecom
https://noprescriptioncanada.com/# medications canada
stromectol without prescription stromectol ivermectin buy
ivermectin 500ml stromectol 15 mg
https://stromectolst.com/# stromectol australia
ivermectin 80 mg ivermectin rx
stromectol tablets for humans stromectol 15 mg
https://stromectolst.com/# stromectol covid 19
stromectol 0.5 mg ivermectin lice
ivermectin 8000 ivermectin cream 1%
https://stromectolst.com/# ivermectin purchase
stromectol tablets buy ivermectin pills
ivermectin cost uk ivermectin 12
where to buy stromectol ivermectin tablets order
ivermectin purchase ivermectin lotion for lice
stromectol 15 mg ivermectin nz
best restaurants in cancun 2021
cancun moon palace
canadapharmacyonline com mexican pharmacy online
cheapest online pharmacy offshore pharmacy no prescription
https://drugs1st.com/# canadadrugpharmacy com
reaorts in cancun
all inclusive cancun resorts adults only
online pharmacy search online pharmacy without scripts
us online pharmacy express scripts com pharmacies
seaweed bath co review
new resort in cancun
https://drugs1st.com/# 24 hr pharmacy
cancun honeymoon reviews
best all inclusive hotel cancun
canadian pharmacy meds online med pharmacy
canadian family pharmacy canadian pharmacy without prescription
most expensive cancun resort
hotels near the palladium
https://drugs1st.shop/# canadian pharmacy reviews
canada rx pharmacy world online pharmacy without scripts
https://drugs1st.com/# legit canadian pharmacy
nespresso signature welcome gift
all inclusive hotel cancun
us online pharmacy online pharmacy ordering
cheap hotels in cancun mexico
best riviera maya all inclusive adults only
canadian pharmacy meds legal online pharmacy
canadian pharmacy top mail-order pharmacies in usa
https://drugs1st.shop/# online pharmacy fungal nail
online pharmacy without scripts canadianpharmacy com
https://drugs1st.com/# online pharmacy australia
online pharmacy pain medicine canadian pharmacy without prescription
top mail-order pharmacies in usa usa pharmacy
https://drugs1st.com/# online pharmacy no prescription
canada online pharmacy no prescription canadian mail order pharmacy
canadian pharmacy meds pharmacy wholesalers canada
https://drugs1st.com/# online pharmacy without prescription
prednisone 20 mg tablets order prednisone online no prescription
amoxicillin without a prescription amoxicillin 500mg cost
generic zithromax medicine zithromax 250 mg pill
cancun hotel resort
cancun mexico all inclusive resorts
amoxicillin 250 mg amoxicillin pharmacy price
hotels in cancun mx
cancun all inclusive travel packages
cipro for sale buy cipro
cheap cancun trips
nizuc resort and spa cancun reviews
cipro for sale where can i buy cipro online
cheap deals to cancun
all inclusive resorts in cancun for couples
doxycycline capsules 40 mg doxycycline 100mg otc
all inclusive resorts in mexico cancun
what to pack for cancun all inclusive 2021
can i buy prednisone online without prescription prednisone for sale
cancun mexico vacation deals all inclusive
cancun mexico vacation spots
ciprofloxacin mail online where can i buy cipro online
hotel resort cancun
cancun mexico package
amoxicillin 200 mg tablet buy amoxicillin without prescription
cancun new years
https://times.coworkbooking.com/2019/11/21/52-fun-things-to-do-in-goa-india/
prednisone 5mg daily prednisone 5mg coupon
hyatt recency cancun
https://www.sitiodeocio.com/arriesgate-aprende-cocinar-viajando/
can i buy clomid over the counter clomid uk
cheap propecia generic propesia
singles resorts in cancun
https://hugetravelhub.com/north-goa-vs-south-goa-2021-with-photos-the-never-ending/
https://clomid1st.science/# purchase clomid online australia
cancun mexico casino resorts
https://trantor.is/content/O6C2zSvxpQuQ6S0-/ebook-14-north-goa-goa7a.xhtml
can you buy clomid over the counter in mexico buy clomid canada
buy clomid from india fertility clomid
can i order clomid online clomid 50 mg for sale
https://propecia1st.science/# cost of finasteride
SexyPG1688 the0ne betเว็บออนไลน์ที่ให้ได้มากกว่า
how do i get propecia buy propecia without a prescription
new ed pills erection pills
https://clomid1st.science/# can you order clomid online
over the counter clomid clomid buy
propecia drug propecia finasteride
cheap generic prednisone where can you buy prednisone
buy propecia propecia 5mg sale
https://prednisone1st.science/# prednisone 10mg cost
prednisone 20mg online pharmacy prednisone price
propecia 1mg tablets finasteride medication
canadian drugs canadian mail order pharmacy
https://indiapharmacy.store/# ed medication online india
cheap ed pills from india cheap generic drugs from india
https://canadianpharmacy.icu/# pharmacy rx world canada
https://indiapharmacy.store/# erectile dysfunction medications from india
https://canadianpharmacy.icu/# canadian pharmacy scam
totally free chat dating site asian online dating
online dating single adult chat dating site
https://datingonline1st.shop/# absolutely free dating sites no fees ever
chatting sites free online dating asian online dating
https://datingonline1st.com/# matchmaking dating
meeting with my lady faroedating chat
zofran over the counter over the counter pain medication
https://drugsoverthecounter.com/# over the counter blood pressure medication
cvs over the counter covid test tamiflu over the counter
epinephrine over the counter over the counter yeast infection treatment
https://drugsoverthecounter.shop/# guaranteed suicide over the counter
over the counter eczema cream uti treatment over the counter
over the counter sleep aid п»їover the counter anxiety medication
over the counter laxatives best over the counter toenail fungus medicine
over the counter sleeping pills over the counter medicine
best hemorrhoid treatment over the counter blood pressure over the counter medication
do you need a prescription for stromectol The clinicians carrying out the trial reported how impressed they were with the low incidence and trivial nature of any side effects, especially compared with other agents, which were often either toxic, or in the case of breast cancer tended to have masculinising effects, and in some instances were so intolerable that patients had been withdrawn from treatment
over the counter birth control over the counter muscle relaxer
There are limited data on the effects of drugs for IBD on male fertility and pregnancy outcomes; however, patients should be informed of the possible effects of paternal drug exposure clomid instructions
cialis for sale online viagra cipro and pseudomonas I said, Well you ve got a choice
best ed pills over the counter nausea medicine over the counter for pregnancy
https://over-the-counter-drug.com/# best over the counter yeast infection treatment
jock itch treatment over-the-counter hydroxychloroquine over the counter
clomid for pregnancy 8 kb and the recombined allele is 5
bronchial inhalers over the counter over the counter anti nausea
strongest antifungal over the counter over the counter cialis
zofran over the counter best sleeping pills over the counter
and Valduga, E stromectol walgreens Reduced fat mass
https://stromectol.science/# minocycline for rosacea