Daily Times

For umpteen years, the National College of Arts (NCA) has been recording history through various art forms and opens the degree show for public on its Final Thesis Display.

Each year the heterogeneity of students’ artwork and concept mushrooms more than the previous one as it offers its viewer a landscape that is balanced by both minimalistic and grand narratives. Each year, students’ work offer a culture of integration and diversity as NCA is home to students with myriad socio-economic backgrounds, ethnic identities, ideological positions and cultural ideologies.

Keeping its tradition alive, this year NCA thesis display has been like a galaxy of artworks. Each hall, gallery, studio and even corridor is adorned with student’s thesis project and leaves the onlooker awe-struck for each work encompasses in it a mythical world that somehow remains palpable in nature. Each department displays the artworks that are distinctive in nature and tell a story on various levels.

The Textile Design Thesis display serves to be interdisciplinary in nature and offers an amalgamation of contemporary as well as traditional designs which altogether are translated with various techniques of weaving, knitting, fabric manipulation and surface embellishment

Textile Design Thesis display serves to be interdisciplinary in nature and offers an amalgamation of contemporary as well as traditional designs which altogether are translated with various techniques of weaving, knitting, fabric manipulation and surface embellishment. Through their artwork students have addressed the social as well as subjective issues and present the usual ideas in an unusual way. The work offers a perfect blend of thought through concepts, meticulous research process and refined craft techniques.

Fine Arts students’ artwork deals with reality on two levels – subjective level and objective level. Their work provide a thought provoking insight into our personal as well as common concerns, like matter of cultural identity, reflection on surrounding, changes due to new mode of communication, physical imperfections, personal family histories, man and machine relationship etc. In addition, students have given a new dimension and direction to miniature style of painting by using the techniques if Gouache, Nimrang and Sayah Qalam on wasli.

Visual Communication Department displays the projects that are based on interaction design, animation, installation and space design. These projects address the social issues like misunderstood concept of feminism, discrimination against single mothers and their children, acceptance and awareness for schizophrenia, psychological disorders, claustrophobia and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Product Design Department displays products that are functional, aesthetic, usable and sustainable in nature, such products that can significantly impact the society. Like, interactive urban furniture, merchandising vehicle for disable, stress relieve capsule, relaxation unit, mobile vocational school for less privileged, versatile camping tent, kaarol shade and green cells.

The Architecture Department revives our traditional spaces by providing the architectural structure for centre for traditional arts, cinematic rejuvenation of Lakshmi Chowk, revival of Lahore Planetarium, community centre to conserve the true essence of Kalash culture and textile hub for local craftsmen. Moreover, spacious spaces has been designed to help the helpless, sports under one roof, art residency, educational institute, martial arts in architecture, a resort, Tertiary Care Hospital and Mixed Used Building: live work and play.

The Musicology Department provides a flashback to veteran singers like Ustad Salim Hussain and Noor Jahan.

Film & TV showcased their documentaries in auditorium that were based on social concerns, like Dour Katchi, Umeed, My Dying Valley, Unaware and Frodo.

With such diversity, NCA thesis display is a must-watch-sight which can either motivate or inspire you to think out of the box! Meanwhile we as a public should keep in mind the ethics to be followed while visiting such places where one slight touch can damage the whole installation. There are some artworks that tempt us to have their hand feel however we should be careful with our moves & gestures and just let the eyes do the magic!

The writer can be reached at hirashah@hotmail.com

Published in Daily Times, January 21^st 2019.