Mahlia Amatina and His Art Project

Inspired by the book title ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ by Jules Verner, Around the World in 80 Washing Lines' is an art project by a conceptual abstract artist Mahlia Amatina, as she explains “the project is an extension of the thought process behind the painting “Look! They Also Dry Their Clothes!” at her recent ‘Kathmandu Calling!’ Exhibition, and explores culture and diversity, as well as the universally accepted notion of hanging our clothes out to dry. She with this project aims at celebrating the human diversity by using a general domestic chore of washing clothes to highlight what connects us in an increasingly divided world. It brings forward the connections and similarities of each washing line using a combination of photographs, textiles and a multi-sensory catalogue of effects including touch, smell and sound.

Amatina explains the reason behind the project; “The project started as a means to highlight similarities between us as human beings, in a world where we often focus on differences. The universal washing line is a perfect means to do this: we all have laundry to do; irrespective of who, what or where we are in the world.”

Amatina initiated the project by recording 80 washing lines photos from 80 different countries keeping into consideration the project being based around humanity and the similarities between people and their living styles. The pictures were sourced from around the planet, in addition to the photographs, short stories have been written with every piece about the person behind each washing line in an attempt to bring forward further similarities that are shared with the global neighbors, and how they truly connect the people.

With this project Amatina exhibits an interactive autism friendly art exhibition depicting unique washing lines that provide visitors with an opportunity to interact with each installation of clothes and get a glimpse of the person behind the garment by reading a short story with real quotations. The exhibition reaches out to a wide and diverse audience including those suffering with autism, alongside those to whom art is not fully accessible. As an autistic artist, Amatina created an exhibition that stood appealing and available to those across the spectrum.

“It’s been a real eye-opener learning about how something which is so simple and taken for granted in the Western world is such an elaborate affair in countries like India and Pakistan. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to explore culture and diversity in the local community, and seeing how residents relate to the universally accepted notion of laundry.”