Written by: Areej Ahmed
Posted on: August 01, 2022 | 
| 中文
Through Blossoms I and Jovita Alvares
Artificial Sensations by Jovita Alvares is an eye into the extreme urbanization of Karachi. When we hear the words “Artificial Sensations”, the first thing that comes to mind is a manipulation of some sort, a feeling that is not real, a facade to cover up something deeper. This work explores how buildings upon buildings are being constructed, an ever-expanding jungle of dreary concrete structures all around us. These structures give rise to hyper security, barbed wires and spotlights. In front of those barbed wires are a form of superficial beauty that is misleading to our eyes, trying to hide the reality of the grim and gray tones of the city by masking it all with the bougainvillea blossoms which act as a creeper covering the ugliness behind it.
Obscure II
Jovita Alvares graduated from Indus Valley in 2016 with a Bachelor in Fine Arts, she was a Valedictorian of her class. She is a talented and an established artist, who has received many awards, one of which is the Imran Mir Art Prize in 2017. She was also part of the 4th Sanat Art Residency, and she regularly does group shows in Karachi, Lahore, Dubai, and London. She is also a frequent writer for local publications and frequently holds artist's talks.
Her practice revolves around documentation of everyday life and the evolving urban spaces in Karachi. This series showcased at Chawkandi Art gallery gives a very strong and beautiful insight into the ugliness that this city is becoming. The bougainvillea blossom is an ubiquitous symbol represented in all of her pieces to show a form of unity. In some cultures, this plant is meant to promote peace, but in this case it brings its unique meaning to the table. It sounds like a contradiction to the plant's nature for it is used to spread its thorny bushes to hide the grim truth of this chaotic city and its overwhelming development.
Through Blossoms II
The artist has explored digital montages with cutwork paper in many of her pieces, juxtaposing moments from her videography and taking out still images to create the digital montages, composed in the form of a kaleidoscope which is then covered with a veil of the cutout bougainvillea in a very subtle but a beautiful manner. Through the cutouts the artist decides what she wants her viewers to see, because they act as a grill or a window into the reality of our world and hints at the need for change. Another kaleidoscopic image is created from her still photos of the security barriers that we see ever so often, but one has to closely understand the image either at close range or from a short distance, to create their perception of it.
Veil II
An artist's job is to give their message of how they view the world, and the viewer decides what they think the artist is trying to say. In most of the artworks displayed here, the message is very clear and simple. Relatability helps a viewer feel more connected to the artwork, and Jovita’s work does precisely that. When we see her work, we see our daily commute and those bougainvillea plants are also a common sight that she has portrayed, only we do not give it much thought unlike the artist. Artists notice the little things and turn them into an eye-opening experience by shining light on the problems we face.
Obscure I
Her artwork is inspired by William Morris, who was a part of the Arts and Craft movement, fighting against the Victorian notions of industrialization. Jovita's work is insightful and thought-provoking, and highlights the fact that urbanization can be harmful to society and its people. The natural greenery and environment are being disturbed, disrupted and distorted. Reclaimed lands are taking over the seaside, and the little beauty that Karachi had left is also being demolished into what is described as “development”. Why are we all ignoring these facts and slowly letting Karachi be taken over by mass structures and artificial spaces? As the people of Karachi, we have to speak up against all that is slowly destroying our environment.
Concrete Blooms III
‘Artificial Sensations’ opened on the 26th of July at Chawkandi Art Gallery in Karachi, and will continue till 4th of August, 2022.
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