Recently I’ve had the pleasure of working with Pakistan Cables Limited. They announced the launch of a coffee table book, ‘A Reel On Karachi – Art Installations in the City’ at the Alliance Francoise de Karachi in an event which was widely attended by members of the business, art and social communities.
Through the “Reel on Hai” project, the Public Outreach Committee of the Karachi Biennale invited artists, designers and architects to transform the empty cable reels provided by Pakistan Cables, the main activity partner, into pieces of art. These reels have been installed in over thirty five locations across schools, parks, hospitals and universities all over Karachi where artists have worked on site to engage the local community. Each unique work engages the community with activities designed around the work to sensitize them to art and the role it can play in projecting the dynamism of a society.
The cable reels provided by Pakistan Cables have been placed at public spaces in the city such as the St. Patricks Cathedral, Beach Luxury Hotel, KMC Sports Complex, Zamzama Park, Orangi Pilot Project, Jinnah Hospital, Safari Park, Indus Valley School of art and architecture, Customs House, Alliance Francaise Greenwich University, Institute of Business Administration, Karachi Zoo, DA College for Women, Karachi Central Jail, Moin Khan Academy, Piler, The national Museum, The Civilizations School, Hill park and The Absa School.
Pakistan Cables Limited announced the launch of a coffee table book, ‘A Reel On Karachi – Art Installations in the City’ at the Alliance Francoise de Karachi in an event which was widely attended by members of the business, art and social communities
“Depicting the project’s illustrated story, this book is a testament to efforts that have brought Reel On Hai to life and allowed for the transformation of cable reels into public works of art. I hope that readers will enjoy it as much as I did while supporting the project as main activity partner alongside Karachi Biennale Trust,” stated Mr. Kamal A. Chinoy Chief Executive Officer, Pakistan Cables Limited.
The launch event included a stimulating panel discussion hosted by renowned Karachi based actor, Mr. Sajid Hasan who engaged with the panelists recollecting Karachi’s evolving history and the impact of Reel on Hai to the city’s landscape. Panelists included Ms. Marjorie Hussain (Art Critic), Mr. Arif Hasan (Urban Planner and Activist), Mr. Mohsin Sayeed (Public Outreach Committee and Journalist) and Ms. Masuma Khawaja Halai (Chair, Public Outreach Committee).
“This book captures the story behind the project and takes its readers on a journey through Karachi brilliantly!”, stated Ms. Halai.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Fahd K. Chinoy, Executive Director, Pakistan Cables Limited who commended the Karachi Biennale Trust for setting up an exemplary partnership based on a shared purpose of honoring community trust and of giving back beauty to Karachi.
In 2016, Pakistan Cables signed a MoU with Karachi Biennale Trust (KBT) to be the main activity partner for project, Reel on Hai, a public outreach initiative of KBT. Fifty seven artists, local and international, transformed cable reels into works of art which have been installed at public spaces that include schools, hospital, parks, heritage sites across Karachi.
A free e-book version of “A Reel on Karachi” is available at the Company’s official website: www.pakistancables.com
