KARACHI, Nov 4: The ‘Degree Show’ of graduating class of Visual Studies Department of Karachi University, started on Tuesday, witnessing a little opposition from a group of students over the use of background music.

As part of the show, 38 students of final year put on display exhibits in the field of fine arts, graphic design, industrial design and textile design, showing variety in style and contents. Many of those in attendance commented on their quality and range.

One of the visitor observed the degree show was a showcase of emerging talents across a range of subjects, which surely marked the transition of students into artists. The degree show would continue till Nov 10 at the department from 9am to 1pm.

It was also stated that students of the four-year honours course were well-talented, whose collective spirit would help change the landscape of contemporary art.

The show as per schedule started in the morning and continued till 1pm with a disruption of an hour caused due to interference of students from outside the departments. A group of 10 to 15 students was enraged over the use of music, a support to the entire display of creative works, as they believed that display of obscene materials and listening to music in the holy month of Ramazan was against the Islamic teachings.

According to eyewitnesses, the reactionary students entered the exhibition arena and ransacked musical instruments, sculptures and paintings and left the premises without having any talks with the staff of Visual Studies Department. They also destroyed some computer monitors and equipments used for display of graphical presentation and documentaries.

Visiting students at the exhibition said that the situation could have been averted if the Rangers, who had their centre near the department, had acted promptly. First the campus security staff reached the scene and later Rangers helped improving the situation, they added.

The project consultant for the department, Durriya Kazi, told Dawn that show was very much peaceful and had nothing to provoke anybody. The purpose of the show was to introduce the graduating students with the market forces, including advertising agencies, entrepreneurs and employers related to fine arts, in order to ensure job opportunities for the graduates.

She said that the first batch of the department graduating in May had also held such exhibition and there was no problem. If anybody was concerned over the use of music, he or she must have contacted us to express reservation, instead of creating nuisance.

Speaking about her print works by itching metals and woods, Uzma Noor said that her fascination towards birds forced her to draw and study them. “I realized that I am also one of them struggling to conquer the barriers and difficulties and problems of life, like those of the birds who live in a cage or nest,” she added, saying that she had a beautiful life with all pleasures.

Jaffer Imam with the help of junk and daily use equipments tried to explain the process of communication, media development and impacts of technical advancement. He was of the opinion that with the transformation in the communication means, now the once chatting family had turned into group of individuals acting in isolation or compelled to do away with the style of discussion and interaction.

“To understand my personal poetry and writing, I attempted to delve into my life to understand my era, my political background, my home, economical situation and friends. In other words, I tried to find my roots,” he added.

Talking about her paintings, Zhalay Sarhadi, said that the theme of her thesis was rhythm. “To me, rhythm is everywhere, but, it is present in full bloom in nature. And flowers are the utmost example of this sensually pleasing entity, which inspired me,” she maintained. She explained that some of her paintings were in contrasting colours while some in monotonous colours, but they had both the fiery existence and the mellow and calmness of the sweet delicate flower.

Works of Faiza Khatoon on window blinds, sunlight screens by Farheen, miniature by Naveed Iqbal and other works by Nazia and Riffat also attracted the visitors to the exhibition.

It may be mentioned here that the art works on display, based on the thesis works done by the students in the first three years of their education in Visual Studies Department, have already been scrutinized for award of marks.