On the path of communications, there come moments, through the work of the inner forces, when we feel compelled to diversify our expressions. On this path, sometimes come about situations when the diversions converge to knit together a story and to share the experiences. This is one such moment.

Architecture as a field of thought, feeling and action encompasses all other human endeavours in arts and technologies. Through the nature and character of its own tools, methods and principles, of other fields of human explorations into a coherent cosmic wisdom.

For as long as architecture can be remembered, it has been considered as mother of all arts for its nature of sheltering and accommodating all other arts under its expanse and also for the high degree of complexity it demands so as to be able to sustain its depth.

The path to architectural realization is such that it often crosses paths with other modes of human processes such as plastic arts, music, writing, theatre, dance, philosophy, religion, culture, society, and even politics, commerce and economics. At these crossroads, one realizes the possibilities that this path to architecture offers to us to seek and learn from other possibilities and paths, from other fields and other (pre) occupations. An opportunity arises for explorations to diversify into expressions beyond architecture.

Some of us indulge ourselves in these diversions, many-a-times, making them into a vocation, while some of us wait for a next time and continue in our architectural explorations, moving further through the creative processes in architecture.

In the recollections of the memories and experiences, one realizes the common pursuit behind all these diversified mediums. The diversions converge towards a singularity of the human expression.

The creative processes involved in architecture carry an idea from the basic, primal needs of a shelter to a complex, sublime yet intense world of meaning and expression. The creative process itself, however, gets lost somewhat in the end product and to some extent in its use. The architectural work becomes too immediate with the user causing the loss of the distance, so vital, between a work of art and the spectator.

Over the years, architecture has moved beyond the questions of form and function and has become bigger than mere expression of dry technological possibilities. It has become possible for architecture to be based on narrative, to tell stories, stories of the ages that have gone by and of the ages to come. Through these new possibilities, the purpose of architecture in society begins to change. It becomes a voice of society. It attempts to comprehend the diverse movements in human thoughts, understanding, aspirations and achievements, and to speak out the essence of the time and age.

The language of architectural graphics that is used to link the abstract ideas in the mind to the actual realizations in architecture has undergone a change of its own accord. It is no longer restricted to the drawings in plans, sections and elevations but has widened so much in its graphic quality and content that it is recognized as a form of art itself which finds ready exposure in the galleries and the market.

In the cyber-virtual world of today, where our senses and our minds are busy adjusting and modifying themselves to the new perceptions and behaviour, the processes in all creative and non-creative human endeavours are undergoing a complete transformation. New ideas and concepts with the likes of liquid-architecture and hyper-surface, are emerging with the agenda of leading us beyond the horizons that exist today, into an era where the distinction between architecture and other forms of expression will no longer hold true.

It is the training and education in architecture, which promotes a multi-dimensional personality in those who venture through it. The general and wide-spanning nature of education combined with the creative education formulates a holistic understanding. The multi-facetedness in architectural education enables us to transcend our own capacities beyond architecture and venture into parallel, yet converging, areas of expression. However, it is sad that a few of us who go through the education tend to forget it and talented people get lost in the game.

It is the moment of converging diversions such as this, which leads to awareness and realization about the importance of the journey that we have chosen to take in the bringing about the exhibition there were surprises galore that came from unexpected quarters. The works presented here are demonstration enough of the amount of activity that is going on in the under-currents of the mainstream architecture. It is our hope that this moment turns itself into a movement that appears on our paths much more often.

By Iftikhar Mulk Chishti,
Convenor, Exhibition Committee.