2017
Karachi, Pakistan
Site-Specific Performance Drawing+ Installation
Variable Dimension
The performative action developed in a result of multiple gatherings of local artists, journalist and activists at Jahangir restaurant in Karachi. The one of a few remaining Iranian restaurant was going to shut down soon due to the gentrification. The artist Sara Hashmi, who has childhood memories attached to the restaurant decided to invite a group of local artists, activists and journalists to reflect on the situation.
After few weeks of meetings, I started to ask myself as a young women growing up in Karachi, I never felt welcome to most of the local Cafés/ restaurants. This time I felt welcome just because as a group of artists/ activists/ journalists we were like a hope for the owner of the restaurant that our voices could save the restaurant from shutting down.
The architecture of this restaurant was designed according to the Islamic values of separated men and women public spaces. The open big hall of the restaurant was facing streets allocated to men and comparatively a much smaller room without even a window was allocating for women or families.
