Closing doors, opening spaces

There is a real sense of doors closing on Pakistan, both in reality and symbolically.  Few airlines fly here now and those that do fly less often.  So, whilst Pakistan has been less directly affected by the economic downturn, the impact is being felt by seriously reduced exports and an international reluctance to engage.  Businesses are also impacted by international concerns relating to the social, political and specifically religious unease within the country.  They are equally affected by the government's own response to situations such as The Long March - closing roads doesn't exactly support business activity.  Consequently, there is a desperate need to open out spaces where simplistic perceptions and singular representations might be challenged.  Many artists are taking up this challenge and seeking out opportunities to represent alternative pictures of Pakistan.  There are numerous examples but one that might gather some attention is 'Hanging Fire' an exhibition to be shown at the Asia Society Museum, New York from the 10th September 09, curated by Salima Hashmi.  The exhibition represents the current energy, vitality and range of expression in Pakistan's arts scene.  The exhibition's title 'Hanging Fire' is an idiom which means 'to delay decision' - alluding not to the artists or their work but the contemporary economic, political and social tensions (local and global) from which the work stems.  It can also be read as a request to the viewer to delay judgement particularly those based on assumptions or preconceived notions about contemporary society - and artistic expression - in Pakistan today.  As doors close on contested Pakistan, it is vitally needed.