Why Bangladesh’s Dhaka Art Summit is an inspiration for the world with its focus on local communities and accumulated learnings
- Featuring 120 Bangladeshi and international artists, the 2023 Dhaka Art Summit had a local focus that made it feel different from other international biennials
- The event had no VIP preview and was free to everyone, with exhibits looking at humans’ relationship with nature and the idea of multiple perspectives
Judging by the buzz on the opening day of this year’s Dhaka Art Summit, it had all the makings of a successful international contemporary art event.
The “it crowd” of the art world? Check. Lots of people queuing to get in? Check. Glamorous after-party attended by at least one world-famous artist? Check.
Despite Bangladesh not being the kind of art hub often associated with major art markets; despite the test of patience that is queuing for a visa on arrival; and despite the chaos on the roads of Bangladesh’s capital city, around 1,000 international art professionals flew to Dhaka in the first week of February for the sixth edition of the biennial and talks programme.
On February 3, in the packed front yard of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, curators from major international museums and institutions, and the British artist Antony Gormley – who marked his first return to South Asia in 50 years with a giant bamboo sculpture he made with local artisans – stood transfixed at the opening performance of Belgian artist Miet Warlop’s Chant for Hope.
After a full day of going through three levels of exhibitions, with works by over 120 local and global artists, the international visitors joined Bangladeshi high society, diplomats and heads of multinational companies at the first of a number of sumptuous parties.
The gorgeous Rani Ko-He-Nur – the drag queen persona of former Mr Gay India, Sushant Divgikar – belted out hit after hit on stage as drinks flowed freely at the Intercontinental Hotel.
