Focusing on the blurs

In the two weeks that curator Anja Ellenberger has been here, she has gone around Hyderabad, hosted a workshop and has even curated an art show, Blurred Gazes — Reflections On Hyderabad From A Distance.

In Germany, it takes at least a year to curate an art show. “It was quite the task. But I managed to meet the artists who were part of the workshop, visit their studios and build up rapport, enough for them to share their artwork with us,” says Anja. As part of the show, 13 artists displayed their works. Talking about the difficulties of curating a show, Anja, says, “Curating is much more than just putting art pieces together.

It’s about creating a concept and placing art the right way. Take for instance, the second room of display. We have three female artists. Their work is a take on the issues that women face here.”

But the story behind the name of the exhibition came up because of artist Fawad Tamkanat’s work. “I have so many memories of Hyderabad that it is all a blur. But when I looked at Fawad’s recent artwork it reminded me of all the things I saw in the city and that’s where the name of the exhibition originated from,” she explains.
Ask Anja about the one lesson she learnt during her visit, and she bursts into laughter, “Never visit in summer!”