EST & UTC + 5. Ten Collaborative Projects by Twenty Artists
Named after the technical time zones where the artists are located, EST
& UTC +5 brings together 10 artists from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
and 10 artists from Karachi, Pakistan, in an effort to connect across time and
space through the universal language of art.
Immersed in a world where technology aims to increase communication and
connect us, we often find ourselves alienated. Considering this paradox, EST
& UTC +5 is an attempt to use creative collaboration to foster
interpersonal and cross cultural connections. In October 2017, ten artists,
writers, designers, performers, and makers from Philadelphia and ten from
Karachi were matched into partners like modern day pen pals. Throughout the next
few months, each of the 10 pairs embarked on an independent, personal exchange
to get to know each others鈥� lives, work, and context with the ultimate goal of
creating a collaborative work of art. Based on shared interests and dialog, each
pair outlined parameters for their joint project, considering what 鈥榣ocal鈥� means
to each of them, and how much of that 鈥榣ocal鈥� could be transported to each
other, both assisted and limited by their only form of communication: text,
images, and the occasional phone call or video chat. Within the timeline of this
project, the artists would never meet. Their entire relationship would exist
online, through an exchange of emails, text messages, Skype conversations, and
social media posts, separated by a ten hour time difference.
The result was 10 distinct collaborative works of art, created by the 10
pairs, exhibited simultaneously in Philadelphia and Karachi (at Little
Berlin and at FOMMA Trust, respectively), as well as a zine published to mark
the completion of the projects. The artwork shown ranges in medium and form,
including interactive performance, extensive and intimate photographic and
written documentation of daily life, site specific installation, and others.
Throughout their conversations and creative partnerships, each artist learned
more about the other鈥檚 culture, artistic practice, and personality. In EST
& UTC +5 art is a bridge to connect citizens from political opposites
on the world stage, a catalyst for real friendships and empathy in an
increasingly divided world.
Named after the technical time zones where the artists are located, EST
& UTC +5 brings together 10 artists from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
and 10 artists from Karachi, Pakistan, in an effort to connect across time and
space through the universal language of art.
Immersed in a world where technology aims to increase communication and
connect us, we often find ourselves alienated. Considering this paradox, EST
& UTC +5 is an attempt to use creative collaboration to foster
interpersonal and cross cultural connections. In October 2017, ten artists,
writers, designers, performers, and makers from Philadelphia and ten from
Karachi were matched into partners like modern day pen pals. Throughout the next
few months, each of the 10 pairs embarked on an independent, personal exchange
to get to know each others鈥� lives, work, and context with the ultimate goal of
creating a collaborative work of art. Based on shared interests and dialog, each
pair outlined parameters for their joint project, considering what 鈥榣ocal鈥� means
to each of them, and how much of that 鈥榣ocal鈥� could be transported to each
other, both assisted and limited by their only form of communication: text,
images, and the occasional phone call or video chat. Within the timeline of this
project, the artists would never meet. Their entire relationship would exist
online, through an exchange of emails, text messages, Skype conversations, and
social media posts, separated by a ten hour time difference.
The result was 10 distinct collaborative works of art, created by the 10
pairs, exhibited simultaneously in Philadelphia and Karachi (at Little
Berlin and at FOMMA Trust, respectively), as well as a zine published to mark
the completion of the projects. The artwork shown ranges in medium and form,
including interactive performance, extensive and intimate photographic and
written documentation of daily life, site specific installation, and others.
Throughout their conversations and creative partnerships, each artist learned
more about the other鈥檚 culture, artistic practice, and personality. In EST
& UTC +5 art is a bridge to connect citizens from political opposites
on the world stage, a catalyst for real friendships and empathy in an
increasingly divided world.
Artists on show
Contact details
