User:Cujodesign/sandbox

Faisal Anwar (b.70) is a Hybrid artist and an interactive producer working between Canada and Pakistan. He is also a chief curator of Karachi Biennial. He is inspired by hybrid art, algorithms, data visualization, ecology and cognitive sciences to create thought-provoking works while pivoting community participation and cultural experiences. His artistic practice branches through multiple media including interactive installations, immersive environments, data-driven interventions, and public art. Anwar explores the history and diversity of urban spaces and cultural identities. 

Biography
Anwar is a graduate of the Canadian Film Centre's Habitat-LAB, Interactive Arts Program 2004, and did his bachelor’s in graphic design from the National College of Arts Lahore, Pakistan 1996.

Anwar explores the history and diversity of urban spaces and cultural identities. He is inspired by hybrid art, algorithms, data visualization, ecology and cognitive sciences to create thought-provoking works while pivoting community participation and cultural experiences. His artistic practice branches through multiple media including interactive installations, immersive environments, data-driven interventions, and public art.

Anwar has been awarded several residencies, project grants as well as research grants throughout his career. In 2019 he was awarded the Labverde Residency at the Amazon rain forest to research and work with scientific climate data. In 2013 he was co-awarded the prestigious SSHRC Insight Development grant, for his research project +City. In 2007 his project ‘Into it!’ was selected for the Artist as Innovators Grant in the category for research for kids with multiple disabilities by the CFC Media Lab, Banff Centre and University of Toronto’s Adaptive Technology Lab.

Selected Solo Exhibitions
Faisal's work has been shown internationally in solo exhibitions including CharBagh was presented at the exhibition ‘Garden in the Machine’, at Surrey Art Gallery, Vancouver in 2019 and ‘Sensory Garden’ at the Aga Khan Museum Toronto in 2016. His ongoing investigative project, TweetGarden was presented at the Contact Photography Festival at the Royal Ontario Museum in 2012, Art Gallery of Mississauga in 2014 and the TRED research and education conference, University of Massachusetts Boston 2014. He has shown at several galleries, museums, and festivals worldwide, including the Winter Olympics Vancouver 2010, Nuit-Blanche Festival Toronto 2008 to 2016, and at the First Karachi Biennale 2017.

Selected Group / Exhibitions
Faisal's work has been shown in numerous group exhibitions. Including +City (2011,13) Funded by SSHRC Insight Development grant. XIBALBA (2008), Interactive Installation presented at the Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, Toronto (2008). Zero Cluster: Deportation (2007/09) A multi-arts installation using hybrid technologies, live music  performance and real-time video/film with multi-layer projection experience. Double Date (2006,07) An interdisciplinary sight, sound, performance project, based on the tradition of tableaux vivant. Diplomatic Immunities (2005,07) An interactive performance directed by Darren O’Donnell, produced by Mammalian Diving  Reflex.

Short Films
‘Walking Spirits’, 2009, duration; 5min. Screened at: Ctrl+ Alt + Del, 2009 curated by Amit Kumar Jain, at Stainless Gallery, New Delhi, India, Toronto Urban Film Festival (TUFF)- 2009

‘I MISS PAKISTAN’, 2009, duration; 6min. Screened at: Sohni Dharti II, 2009 at Karachi Arts Council, Pakistan, Toronto Urban Film Festival (TUFF) 2009

‘Mozart in Lahore’, 2009, duration; 3min. Screened at: shortsnonstop.com 2009

‘City Revenge’, 2008, duration: 1min. Screened at: Toronto Urban Film Festival (TUFF), 2008

‘Clifton to Saddar', 2006, duration: 1min. Screened at: ‘Monitor 3: Contemporary South Asian Film and Video’ 2007, at Innis Town Hall, Toronto, Pollution, 2007 at INTERart, aluCine -Toronto Latin Festival 2007, shortsnonstop.com 2007

‘Gurriya’, 2005, duration: 3min 8sec. Screened at: ‘Bollywood Chat’ presented by SAVAC at Design Exchange, Toronto 2005

‘ID. Check’, 2003, duration 2 min. Exhibited at: ‘Bolly>Lolly>Holly>Tolly’ a SAVAC exhibition at Harborfront Center Toronto 2003

‘It’s as simple as that’, 2001, duration: 12min Screened at: ‘Death…It’s Out There’ 2007, curated by Ulysses Castellanos at TPW Gallery Toronto

Research

 * 1) The ongoing project ‘Seek’ explores ways to work with research based “dataset” to develop playful and meaningful engagements help scientists to create new methods of dissemination of information for various audience while bridging art with science, technology and nature.
 * 2) 'Element', is a research-based project in collaboration with the OTMH (Oakville hospital) and its Arts Council.  'Element' draws connections between art, nature, health, and technology to  create a meaningful, innovative, and interactive visual experience that fosters engagement, interconnectivity, a sense of community and care that exists within a hospital environment.
 * 3) +City Development Funded by SSHRC Insight Development grant, +City developed and launched a beta archiving and analytical tool.
 * 4) Interactive educational and learning media/tools for able / disable kids. This research was part of the CulturAll program- the project ‘Into it!’ was selected under the Artist as Innovators category,  for research for kids with multiple disabilities. (CFC Media Lab, Banff Centre, University of Toronto’s Adaptive Technology)

Personal Life
Faisal Anwar is married to Visual artist Tazeen Qayyum and lives in Oakville, Ontario

Reference

 * 1) SAIatHome in conversation with Faisal Anwar   https://www.saichicago.org/news/faisal-anwar
 * 2) Artists in the GTA: Faisal Anwar celebrates social progress through art and technology  https://www.yongestreetmedia.ca/features/faisalanwar01112012.aspx
 * 3) New ways of being by by Zehra Hamdani June 9, 2017  in Features, Latest Issue, June 09-15, 2017 Vol. XXIX, No. 18  https://www.thefridaytimes.com/new-ways-of-being/
 * 4) Curator for Karachi Biennale 2022 announced  The Newspaper's Staff Reporter, Published February 3, 2021  https://www.dawn.com/news/1605107
 * 5) Karachi Biennale’22: A preview interview with the dynamic artist-curator   Faisal Anwar by Maheen Aziz
 * 6) Rethinking a Utopian Future for Art and Biennales. By Numair Abbasi  Posted on March 27, 2021
 * 7) Faisal Anwar, Digital/Interactive Artist. NEWS / MAY 4, 2012
 * 8) TO175: New Media Artist Faisal Anwar Wants Your Toronto Stories For My City Project  BY NEWS STAFF POSTED FEB 24.
 * 9) PROFILE: RE-IMAGINING THE CITY . Amra AliPublished March 7, 2021  https://www.dawn.com/news/1610862/profile-re-imagining-the-city
 * 10) How Tazeen Qayyum and Faisal Anwar Are Changing The Way We Experience Art    SHEDOESTHECITY NOVEMBER 25, 2019

Category:Living people Category:National College of Arts alumni Category:21st-century artists