পতন / Collapse
2011-2023 (ongoing)
Archival pigment prints, Variable sizes
Metal structures, Wooden frames
Spatial design in collaboration with
Architect Salauddin Ahmed
Munem Wasif brings forward the conflicted relationship between the idea of development and the larger ecosystem. On one side flows a mighty river while on the other stands an intrusive structure made out of rods, cement, sand and stones. In these photographs, we see a man-made structure, geometric, brutal and monumental in scale, standing tall against the forces of vigorous currents of the Jamuna river that race down on the horizontal plane amidst soft and fragile elements of nature.
Archival pigment prints, Variable sizes
Metal structures, Wooden frames
Spatial design in collaboration with
Architect Salauddin Ahmed
Munem Wasif brings forward the conflicted relationship between the idea of development and the larger ecosystem. On one side flows a mighty river while on the other stands an intrusive structure made out of rods, cement, sand and stones. In these photographs, we see a man-made structure, geometric, brutal and monumental in scale, standing tall against the forces of vigorous currents of the Jamuna river that race down on the horizontal plane amidst soft and fragile elements of nature.
Bangladesh is born out of the nerves and veins of numerous rivers spurring out of the Himalayas. These rivers move through the mountains, deciding the very nature of the land they pass through, the ecology, human character, life’s rhythm, politics and economy. Neo-liberal development processes in the last few decades have neglected the natural flow of water, climate and the lives around these areas. With human-centric notions of development, economic gain and consumption of natural resources as the basis of modern life, and the voices of other species have been excluded resulting in the consequent loss of biodiversity.
Grains of sand particles glisten like stars in these black and white photographs, a ferocious body of water bends hurriedly down the curves, and tall mutilated parts of the structure pierce through the skin of the river silently witnessing the flat plane. Bringing forward this juxtaposition of a horizontal and vertical axis, Munem Wasif’s image based installation discloses a contradictory tale of climate, life, nature and development.One can’t help but ask “What is the definition of development?”
On 23 June, 2022 swept by the currents of a flood,
the Bridge vanished into the Jamuna river.
বন্যা/Bonna, Curated by Diana Campbell
Dhaka Art Summit 2023
On 23 June, 2022 swept by the currents of a flood,
the Bridge vanished into the Jamuna river.
বন্যা/Bonna, Curated by Diana Campbell
Dhaka Art Summit 2023