Kyun yeh faasle?
AIM
This project is an attempt to rekindle warmth between India and Pakistan. There’s a huge communication gap between the people of these two countries that if filled can help people realize how similar they are and thus will help increasing tolerance levels towards each other.
The aim is to also facilitate an indirect interaction between the people of both the nations that makes them think whether they are really very different from each other.
DESIGN
I designed an exhibition space that is experience driven and dramatic in nature. The idea behind this exhibition is to make my audience from both the nations experience a journey to meet their neighbor country.
Bubble diagram of the exhibition space
Floor Plan
CONCEPT
There will be two parallel exhibitions, one in India and one in Pakistan.
This exhibition uses strong visual metaphors like a train coach and mirrors besides others to deliver the message.
The train being a very important symbol of partition as the process of migration happened through it can be seen as a metaphor for broken connection between the two nations. Through the medium of this exhibition I want the people of both the nations to connect back through the same train by 'Taking the Train Back' to meet each other!
RAILWAY PLATFORM
The journey starts from the Delhi railway station where people take a train to Lahore. A passage will be made to look like a train bogey; train sounds and station announcements will enhance the experience as people walk through it.
On exiting the train the audience find themselves in the Lahore railway station where huge screens are installed very strategically that has a telecast of the actual railway station of Lahore. So, Indians feel that they are walking amongst the people of Pakistan. 
Also, alternately there will be panels of mirrors installed. These alternate and continuous panels of Lahore screens and mirror will create a dramatic effect where the audience sees the Pakistanis then themselves in sequence. It aims to trigger a thought of how different are we from them? We’re all humans at the end of the day. And how bad can it be to mingle with them?
Mirror is another very strong metaphor for self-introspection. In the midst of this exhibition if the audience comes across a mirror placed strategically it will trigger self-introspection and thought.
AUDITORIUM
People will then enter an auditorium where movies by young filmmakers from both India and Pakistan will be showcased. The movies will be pertaining to situation of India and Pakistan. They will be aired in auditoriums of both the exhibitions simultaneously. Live performances can be organized where celebrated artists of both nations like Atif Aslam(singer), Kapil Sharma(comedian) etc can be called on special evenings to perform live.
Also, since the programs will be taking place in both counties simultaneously, there will be screen panels installed on either side of the main screen which will have a live telecast of the audience reaction from the other country (of Indian audience in the auditorium at Lahore, Pakistan and vice versa). I want my audience from both nations to experience crying togther, laughing together and celebrating together!
INTERACTION ZONE
Interaction zone will have recording booths for people if they wish to convey a message to their neighbors. There will also be a projection screen with video messages playing recorded by the people of the other side.
THE FOOD STREET
The journey ends with a visit to one of the most famous food streets of Lahore called Gawalmandi Food Street re-created in the exhibition space. The journey ends here. A similar food street will be created in the Lahore exhibition space which will be made to look like the very popular Paranthe wali gali of Delhi, India.
I want my audience to experience the food culture of the other country, hoping that it brings them closer to each other.
