Project title - On the Margins

Parvez's exploration and engagement with the Barabazar market in Kolkata focus on understanding the socio-economic life of the working class, particularly wage labourers. His approach involves immersing himself in the daily lives of these workers, experiencing their struggles, and questioning the normative responses surrounding their labour.

Parvez's decision to spend significant time in Barabazar, including frequent daily visits, reflects a commitment to firsthand experience and a genuine attempt to grasp the complexities of the labourers' lives. The repetition of meals from the market's small 'hotels' and close interactions with workers suggest a dedication to understanding their reality beyond a superficial level.

The artist's intervention in the city involves capturing the trace of the "human vehicle" - the labourers who serve as essential components in the market's seamless operations. Parvez attempts to create dissonance in his presentation, challenging the audience's perceptions by questioning the glorification of the labourers' skill sets. By posing the provocative question, "How much for an hour of your life?" he prompts the audience to consider the socio-economic barriers labourers face despite their efficient skills and hard work.

Despite his engagement, the presentation requires a long-term engagement to understand the dynamics surrounding laborers, such as migration, cultural differences, marginalization, and class struggle, that could not unfold in the short period of the residency.

Parvez's engagement with the wage labourers in the city suggests a nuanced understanding of their role in the urban environment. We may see their existence as necessary for outsiders to survive in the city, even though they may not be considered part of the resident of the city. This perspective adds complexity to his exploration, acknowledging the intricate relationship between labour, time, and the market controlled by a select few.

In conclusion, Parvez's artistic research and intervention provide a unique glimpse into the lives of wage labourers in Barabazar. His attempt to shed light on the politics of labour time and its value contributes to a broader conversation about socio-economic disparities in a neoliberal economy.