Navjot Altaf

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Navjot Altaf

Künstlerin, lebt in Mumbai (Indien) / artist, lives in Mumbai (India)

Die Webseite der Künstlerin / the artist's website www.navjotaltaf.com


Empty Containers

Navjot Altaf hat im Rahmen des Yamuna-Elbe-Projekts über den Hamburger Hafen und globale Fragen von Seefrachtcontainern recherchiert.  Am 18. Oktober wird ihre Skulptur "Empty Containers" auf dem Lieger Caesar eröffnet. Die Künstlerin ist vom 18.10. bis zum 23.10. täglich von 16-18 Uhr bei Ihrer Skulptur und spricht über ihre Arbeit.

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‘Empty containers’ 2011 concept: Navjot Altaf

I was intrigued by the sight of the Elbe and
Containers onboard ships arriving or leaving Hamburg or
piled up in and around Port-Terminals along the river and other parts of the city or
trucks taking them from one destination to another.
I experienced the harbor-city and its networks visually, below and above eye-level.

For me the words ‘container’ and ‘river’ are metaphors.
My ‘Empty containers’ are books to be written,
that invites audience to write between its covers.

This interactive project seeks to explore the elements and ideas, concepts and concerns, notions and perceptions that shape our understanding of the Elbe.
And our relationship to it.

Empty Containers are carriers of signs. Sometimes Familiar and Everyday. Intriguing and Exciting. Perhaps even Laconic and Puzzling.

The decision to deepen the Elbe
Once again is an opportune moment to reflect
on our aspirations, our hidden selves, and
our creative potential.
Our determination to nurture and
capacity to destroy.

When I think of the life and quality of the river, what comes to mind is T S Eliot’s evocative lines:

The endless cycle of idea and action
Endless invention, endless experiment
Brings knowledge of motion, but not of stillness
Knowledge of speech, but not of silence.

This project is an invitation to viewers to reflect on their relationship /association with the city / river, and the debates on the issue of continuous development by adding /critiquing / erasing the texts found on/ in the books called ‘Empty containers’ which could be further shared with more participants at different sites where the work will be installed.

‘Empty Containers’ is a collaboration between Navjot Altaf from Mumbai, and Nina Kalenbach / Till Krause from Hamburg (part of Yamuna - Elbe project).

Navjot Altaf

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der Papier Union Inapa Deutschland für die umfangreiche Unterstützung des Projektes, sowie der Druckerei Priess, Hamburg Reinbek und ihrem Team.


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