ada is Sangam Sharma

Something’s growing in the Arctic
by Sangam Sharma

Opening: 06.10.23, 19:30 with a live-set by Kasho Chualan
The show will run from 07.10.23 to 20.10.23 at ada, Wattgasse 16/6, 1160 Wien

Opening times: 07.10, 08.10, 13.10. and 15.10 from 18:30 to 22:00

An explorative journey and the attempt of a critical approach.

Referencing Edward Said’s critique of Orientalism, the Arctic is nothing more than a simplistic, concept that compensates for a lack of knowledge by projecting a Western worldview and a euro-centric gaze onto a distant place (cf. Arctic Culture Lab). To this day the ‘North’ persists as a romantic symbol but the Arctic is not white nor lifeless (cf. Chris J. Gismondi) .

The exhibition will show works exploring different aspects of the Arctic:

The problematic past, explorers being lost in their own white-out on the race towards the so-called terra incognita shaped by colonialism and narcissism

Some stories of the places I have encountered in Northern-Norway and things and creatures I came across

Lastly I would like to shift perspectives in a more speculative, playful way. What happens when (Arctic) nature and alien species or alien objects meet? What can come out of it?

Found objects will be mixed with collages, sculptures, texts, photography and drawings as well as installation pieces. Sound artist Kasho Chualan will perform a live-set at the opening. Her music will incorporate field recordings I have made during my travels.

Sangam Sharma: independent artist and filmmaker based in Vienna, more at: www.sangamsharma.com

Kasho Chualan: Kurdish-Canadian composer performing with Ausländer collective and working on her solo record, more at: https://kasho.bandcamp.com