Dhali Al Mamoon's "Dialogue"

Dhali Al Mamoon with his installation. PHOTO: STAR

About 500 art works, including paintings, installations, etchings and calligraphy, among others are on display at three venues -- Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, National Museum and Osmani Memorial Hall. Many artists and delegates from overseas have come to Bangladesh to participate in the biennale.

Names of the Grand Prize winners were announced at the inaugural. Dhali Al Mamoon of Bangladesh for his installation, titled Dialogue, Hiroshi Fuji of Japan and Shahaghat Jabbari Kalkhoran of Iran received the Grand Prizes.

Talking about Dialogue, Mamoon says, "The installation depicts the conflict between violence and spirituality. While I respect the pious, these days some people are misusing religion in our politics. Consequently spirituality, the essence of religion, is being lost. In my installation, I have created a dialogue and dilemma between the essence of religion and misuse of religion. The 'kinetic movement' of the objects as well as flowing water in the installation metaphorically represent spirituality, whereas the stagnant figures represent the fanatics who are misusing the religion.

The installation has two characteristics: Some stagnant figures and some dynamic elements like moving faces, and a stream. Mamoon says, "To me water is the most mysterious element in the earth. It has diversified characteristics, which attract me. Like my earlier project, Water is Innocent, I have featured a few things, such as architecture, water, objects of daily use and our natural and cultural elements. In this sense it is the extension of 'language' of earlier installation, however, the issue is totally different from Water is Innocent.

Currently Mamoon is doing only installations. He thinks three-dimensional art forms-- installations-- can communicate well with the viewers more effectively than two-dimensional forms like paintings and others. Mamoon says, 'Installation has various aspects. On the one hand, it has a communicative advantage over displays hung on a wall and has given a new dimension to art. On the other hand, the diversity of materials and modes of expression in installations are also an attraction."

What is the potential of installations in a developing country like Bangladesh? Mamoon says, "Installations can be done at a minimal cost. A major problem is that we can't sell or preserve the installations, which is possible in the West, where they get patronage. In this sense, making a career out of installations is difficult in Bangladesh. Nevertheless I still have plans; soon I aim to use multimedia in my installations."

Associate Professor in the Department of Fine Arts at Chittagong University, Mamoon has participated in many exhibitions at home and abroad. In 2000 he won the National Award for the best work of the year, conferred by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. On the arrangement of the biennale '06 Mamoon says, "Arranging such a vast exhibition in a developing country is appreciable. The exhibition is effective for the artists who can't go abroad to participate in the international festivals. They are getting exposure as well as the scope to exchange ideas with foreign artists. But, the exhibition could have been streamlined. More contemporary art forms could have been included. And the organisers should be clear about the objective of art and its role in the future. Moreover, professional curators should be employed to enable the biennale to be at par with international standards."