Bijoygram
Bijoygram is a video and photo installation that documents the journey of creating a cultural festival aimed at bringing together the residents of the middle-class neighborhood of Bijoy Nogor and the nearby Laldiarchor slum (Gucchagram), which was home to landless people and environmental refugees from southern Bangladesh. Despite being geographically close, the vast socio-economic differences between the two communities kept them separated. The motivation behind the cultural festival documented in the installation was the need for the two communities to work together in light of natural disasters and social conflicts such as hartals.
The video component of the installation captures the journey of the cultural festival, from its inception to the day of the event. It highlights the challenges and negotiations involved in the creation of the festival. The accompanying photograph features a group photo of 730 residents from both Bijoy Nogor and Laldiarchor, who participated in the festival.
The Laldiarchor slum was demolished in 2020 as part of the expansion of the Chattogram port.
The video component of the installation captures the journey of the cultural festival, from its inception to the day of the event. It highlights the challenges and negotiations involved in the creation of the festival. The accompanying photograph features a group photo of 730 residents from both Bijoy Nogor and Laldiarchor, who participated in the festival.
The Laldiarchor slum was demolished in 2020 as part of the expansion of the Chattogram port.
Work info
JP Kaljonen & Abu Naser Robii, Bijoygram, socially engaged project / video and photo installation, video: 10 min / 16:9 / HD, photo: pigment ink print 200 x 40 cm, Patenga, Chattogram, Bangladesh 2013.