Gul-e-Lala: Exploring Love and Romance

Using Indian classic cinema as a channel for dialogue for his project during the residency, the artist reflects on his encounters with lonesomeness and amorousness under the shades of bitter truths of modern day relationships, in contrast to his core ideas of romance from collective pasts and personal memories. His core ideas for the residency in The Netherlands, sprouted from Indian films from the 80s and 90s in which hero and heroine were shown against very romantic backdrops of lush green scenery and flowers, climaxing in elaborate songs and choreographies.

Since September, Shafi has been exploring conventional and unconventional ideas of reminiscence, vulnerability and expectations in/of love. His writings during the residency draws upon blurred boundaries between fiction and non-fiction, satire and desires, confession and critical engagement.

The evening’s dinner was provided by artist and cook Mattia Papp.

Read an article about Shafi’s residency and presentation here.