Curated by Sizzle Lyk Dat Studio, the exhibition "Now That The World Is Ending Let's Get Together" for the Wrong Biennale 2021/22, in collaboration with 1.Shanthiroad Gallery, showcased a captivating array of works by emerging artists, designers, and contemporary dancers. The international group of artists part of the Wrong Biennale 2023/24 exhibition, 'Laugh' that opened for a weekend exhibition in Jan 2024 at Pagal Canvas Backyard in Bangalore are Mehryl Ferri Levisse, Lauren Prousky, Sofie Topi, Dayita Nereyeth, Ainesh Madan, Priyanshi Jhaveri, Abhirami Raj, Naichen Pan, and Jasmine K. The show is also hosted online till Mar 01, 2024 ( https://www.tasneemlohani.com/wrongbiennale-embassy-laugh) till the end of the biennale duration. The artists part of the international contemporary film programme, 'We Are The Aliens We Are Looking For', at 1.Shanthiroad in 2022 were Aarti Sunder, Anand Shenoy, Ava Halloran, George Wong Yung Choon, Kinjal Shah, Nihaal Faizal, Ohida Khandakar, Sinai Noor, Tasneem Lohani, Wenceslaus Mendes, Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, Mohit Bhalla & Anoushka Mathews. This exhibition was part of the the Art Fervour Weekender 2022. Mehryl Ferri Levisse, Lauren Prousky, Sofie Topi, Dayita Nereyeth, Ainesh Madan, Priyanshi Jhaveri, Abhirami Raj, Naichen Pan, and Jasmine K.
The Wrong Biennale, kickstarted in 2013 by David Quiles Guilló and steered by The Wrong Studio, stands as a unique, decentralized, and collaborative global art biennial. Over the years, it has burgeoned into a vast international community, gaining acclaim from the press, the art community, and the public. Noteworthy accolades include the SOIS Cultura 2019 award and an honorary mention from the European Commission S+T+ARTS 2020 prize.
This biennale serves as a melting pot, attracting established, emerging, and underrepresented artists to explore creativity and digital culture in a positive and constructive manner. The Wrong has become a global reference in the art scene, uniting curators, artists, and institutions both online and offline every two years. It has played a pivotal role in fostering inclusivity and diversity in the digital art realm, showcasing various cultures, styles, and mediums to a worldwide audience.
Since its inception, The Wrong Biennale has featured the works of over ten thousand artists and curators in more than six hundred pavilions, embassies, and institutions across the globe. This platform not only encourages artistic growth and experimentation but also contributes significantly to shaping the landscape of contemporary digital art.
Embark on a journey of laughter, irony, and political resistance as we delve into "Laugh," an exhibition hosted by the Embassy for The Wrong Biennale's 6th edition. Curated by Sizzle Lyk Dat Studio, this showcase invites viewers to explore humor as a potent artistic tool for rebellion and resistance. Unfolding across the work of 9 early career artists scattered around the globe, "Laugh" confronts themes of gender, political oppression, mental health, and surveillance through the lens of comedy.
Exploring the Power of Humor: The exhibition delves into the historical significance of irony, comedy, and jokes as influencers of political opinions, underlining their ability to weaponize laughter. Drawing parallels with recent history, "Laugh" draws attention to the impactful use of humor in political discourse, such as the 'Evil Hillary' Memes during Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. By dissecting these instances, the show aims to emphasize the potential of humor as a tool for shaping public opinion and resistance.
Creative Resistance in a Changing World: Amidst a backdrop where democracies seem to teeter on the edge of dissolution and critical voices face increased silencing, "Laugh" becomes a platform for creative resistance. Despite the promises of freedom of speech, the exhibition contends that we now inhabit a world where expressing dissenting views becomes an act of rebellion. The showcased international multimedia artists employ satire and silliness to tackle systemic violence on health, personhood, and identity, offering a unique perspective on the challenges faced in contemporary society.
Tasneem Lohani, the visionary artist behind Sizzle Lyk Dat Studio, brings a distinctive approach to the curation landscape, shaping a dynamic space that transcends traditional boundaries. Established in 2021, Sizzle Lyk Dat Studio serves as a nomadic hub for art exhibitions, events, and dialogue, embodying a commitment to fostering inclusivity and supporting underrepresented artists through innovative group exhibitions.
Lohani's vision extends beyond conventional norms, challenging the confines of white cube exhibitions. The studio's ethos is rooted in experimentation with mediums, display techniques, and economic models in exhibition making. This commitment to pushing boundaries results in a refreshing and avant-garde approach to presenting art, creating a space where artistic expressions defy conventional expectations.
Noteworthy in Sizzle Lyk Dat Studio's curatorial journey is the exhibition "Now That The World Is Ending Let's Get Together," curated for the Wrong Biennale 2021/22 in collaboration with 1.Shanthiroad Gallery. This exhibition showcased a diverse array of works by emerging artists, designers, and contemporary dancers, contributing to the biennale's rich tapestry of creative exploration.
More recently, the studio curated an international contemporary film program and exhibition titled "We Are the Aliens We Are Looking For" for the Art Fervor Weekender 2022. This undertaking exemplifies Lohani's commitment to engaging global audiences with cutting-edge art, transcending traditional boundaries of expression.
Sizzle Lyk Dat Studio, under Tasneem Lohani's discerning curatorship, emerges not only as a catalyst for artistic experimentation but also as a powerful force shaping a vibrant, diverse community of art enthusiasts. Lohani's innovative programming and commitment to underrepresented artists underscore the studio's role as a trailblazer in the contemporary curatorial landscape.
In this exhibition, these artists collectively redefine the boundaries of artistic expression, weaving together narratives that challenge, inspire, and invite viewers to embark on a journey of introspection and exploration. Their diverse backgrounds, unique perspectives, and innovative approaches collectively contribute to the rich tapestry of contemporary art, making this exhibition a captivating exploration of the human experience.
The eclectic ensemble of artists featured in this exhibition converges in a kaleidoscope of creativity, each bringing forth a unique perspective that challenges and reshapes the boundaries of contemporary art. Mehryl Ferri Levisse, an Italian-French artist hailing from Casablanca, Morocco,
embarks on a multifaceted exploration of subjectivity and identity within the realm of queer experience. Their visual language, steeped in gendered symbols and imagery from pageantry and masquerade, beckons viewers to reconsider conventional notions of masculinity and femininity.
Lauren Prousky, a multidisciplinary artist from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, emerges as a cultural alchemist, seamlessly blending installation, painting, social practice, and video to weave a narrative that transcends traditional artistic boundaries. Her recent accolade as the inaugural 2023 emerging Art Gallery of Ontario artist-in-residence for "Black Tie Soup Night" underscores her prowess in pushing artistic frontiers.
Sofie Topi, an artist, editor, and designer currently residing in the Netherlands, brings forth a relentless curiosity for understanding sociopolitical landscapes and worldviews. With an eternal devotion to her motherland, Greece, Sofie's work becomes a lens through which viewers can explore and reflect upon the intricate tapestry of human experience.
The dance-centric duo of Dayita Nereyeth and Ainesh Madan, co-founders of the 206 Dance Collective based in Bangalore, India, infuse movement with profound storytelling. Nereyeth, a senior editor for The Clean Copy and Alexander Technique teacher trainee, collaborates with Madan to offer a vibrant exploration of dance that transcends cultural boundaries.
Visual artist Priyanshi Jhaveri, a graduate of the University of the Arts, London, navigates the liminal spaces between ecstasy and fear through her mixed-media creations. Her unique perspective challenges the audience to delve into the nuanced emotions residing in these in-between spaces.
Abhirami Raj, shaped by a nomadic life across diverse Indian cultures, infuses her artwork with reflections on life as experienced in different regions. Her expressions through art become a mosaic of her journey, capturing the essence of varied languages and cultures.
Naichen Pan, a multimedia artist and curator now based in New York, invites viewers into a realm where languages transcend the sincere yet evade the genuine. Her exploration of the untranslatable nature of languages reflects a profound connection with art that began in her native China.
Jasmine K, an Indian artist exploring sound, video, and performance, delves into the alienation prevalent in our digital age dominated by tech and surveillance capitalism. Her work becomes a poignant commentary on the societal shifts brought forth by the digital communication era, unraveling the complex layers of contemporary existence.