yahaan

‘yahaan’, a Hindi/Urdu term meaning to be here, present and close, is the provisional study of departing on a journey and asking, ‘which way?’. Drawing from their personal experiences and observations, eight multidisciplinary artists speculate on the transient nature of being here.

yahaan suggests grounding or connecting to one’s particular environment, corporeal and intangible prior to departing towards the unexpected or alternative, as a reminder of one’s reality. It offers itself as a space of introspection, to refamiliarise and to acquaint oneself with their surroundings.

The artists reflect: 

Seeking reorientation is synonymous with keeping in touch with our environment, as and when it unfolds. 

In exploring the politics of ‘being here’ as tauiwi, the artists also navigate ideas surrounding deep time and memory. Therefore,  yahaan is not only a pointer to the present but also a signal that points towards things affecting it. Mapping across disparate perspectives, yahaan is a landing zone for artists to arrive and depart.

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View exhibition booklet and artist bios here.

View exhibition catalogue here.

Read Theo Macdonald's response to yahaan here.

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Gallery Programmes accompanying this exhibition:

1 March - Opening Preview
11 March - Curator Tour