World Heritage Makli to be held at FOMMA, Karachi

FOMMA (Foundation of Museum of Modern Art) DHA Art Center, in partnership with Heritage Foundation of Pakistan, is planning an exhibition focused on the grandeur of World Heritage Makli, Thatta and will be inaugurated at 5:30 pm on Monday 20^th March 2017 at FOMMA DHA Art Center. It will remain open until 25^th March 2017 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

The Heritage Foundation, a not-for-profit, social and cultural entrepreneur organization established in 1980,documents and conserves the traditional and historic built environment of Pakistan in order to create an awareness of Pakistan’s rich and diverse historic architecture, arts and crafts, and to promote cultural heritage for social integration, peace and development.

Titled ‘Restoring Cultural Heritage to its Past Grandeur’, the exhibition aims to showcase how conservation of the 16^th c. Tomb of Mirza Jan Baba will help create dialogues between local communities, their cultural heritage,as well asfolk traditions.

“Through such exhibitions we hope to foster communities’ engagement with rich legacy of cultural heritage and vernacular traditions of Pakistan,” commented Architect Yasmeen Lari, SI HI Fukuoka Prize Laureate, Chair and CEO, Heritage Foundation of Pakistan.

On display will be the zero carbon footprint, fuel-efficient Pakistan Chulah (double stove) as well assamples of kashi (glazed ceramics) being practiced by the mendicant women living in the shadow of the World Heritage.

As the rehabilitation of the tomb of Mirza Jan Baba was supported by Germany, the exhibition will be opened by Consul General Rainer Schmiedchen.

“I am really thrilled about this exhibition,” remarked Fawzia Naqvi, Honorary CEO of 16FOMMA. “It is like bringing Makli to Karachi; it will be a memorable experience.”

FOMMA Trust is a non-profit educational and cultural entity that promotes the study and intelligent appreciation of art and architecture, both in its contemporary manifestations and in a wider historical context. FOMMA’s objectives include the setting up of museums of contemporary art and art libraries in Pakistan. The FOMMA DHA Art Centre (FADC) is a refurbished 19th Century Army Barrack located in the beautifully landscaped Zamzama Park. Over the past five years FDAC has held successful book launches, exhibits, art movie nights, collaborative events including ‘Art in the Park’- art classes for children and various talks by eminent artists and curators.