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A unique hybrid exhibition of words and images by the Bahrain Writers’ Circle (BWC) opened on Saturday at the Bahrain Financial Harbour (BFH) and concludes tomorrow, writes Naman Arora.
Confluence 2020 is a ‘phygital’ show, featuring 29 works of art by 23 teams of writers and artists, in a part-virtual, part real experience, adapting to the ‘new normal’ as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Saira Ranj, director of the BWC, said: “We are excited to be back with ‘Confluence – Where Words and Images Meet’ at Harbour Gate.
“2020 saw many challenges for all of us yet to keep our spirits going we must ‘art’ and, thanks to the generosity of Angus Campbell, chief executive of Financial Centre Development Company, the offer of this prestigious space and with all the support of the management team, we continue to prevail.”
The exhibition is located on the second floor of the Harbour Gate at BFH. In line with the current health and precautionary guidelines, social distance tape on the floor guides the visitors through the exhibition.
Each exhibit also has a QR code which can be scanned to learn more about the artist and/or writer.
Instead of an inauguration event, a virtual reality video showcasing the exhibition was streamed on BWC’s social media. In addition, videos featuring interviews with some of the writer-artist teams talking about their inspiration and process were shared on social media.
Rohini Sunderam, who came up with the idea for the pilot Confluence 2018, and assisted in co-ordination of content this year, said: “This year at the exhibition, I have two poems reflecting the art of two artists. One is a poem titled Eyes based on the art of 12-year-old Tia Mathew.
“The other is a poem titled Timeless Clocks done with artist Shereen Abraham. The poem is unusual because as long as you start and end with the lines at the beginning and end of the poem, you can read it in any order and it still makes sense, which is what the artist and I wish to convey about the nature of time.”
The exhibition runs until tomorrow at 8pm. It can also be viewed online at https://bahrainwriterscircle.net/events/confluence-2020/
