Curriculum vitae

Ali Akbar Mehta (b.1983, Mumbai) is a Transmedia artist, curator, and researcher.

Education

2019 – ongoing: Doctoral Researcher, Contemporary Art, Aalto University, School of Art, Design & Architecture, Helsinki, FI
2015 – 2018: MA (Visual Cultures, Curating and Contemporary Art), Aalto University, Helsinki, FI
2001 – 2005: BFA (Honours), Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai, IN

Select Work Experience

2019: Artistic Producer, m-cult Media Culture Centre, Helsinki, FI
2018 – 2020: Artistic Director, Museum of Impossible Forms, Helsinki, FI
2002 – 2008: Co-founder, Lead Animator and Artist, Mareech Animated Design, Mumbai, IN

Awards

2020: State Art Prize awarded to Museum of Impossible Forms, by the Ministry of Art and Culture, FI
2019: Tutkijaliitto-palkinto, awarded to Museum of Impossible Forms, by the Finnish Association of Researchers, FI

Grants

2024: Kone Säätiö, exhibition grant, working group – Haihatuksen Henki ry
2023: Kone Säätiö, working & production grant (3 years)
2022: Taiteen edistämiskeskus, working grant (1 year)
2021: Taiteen edistämiskeskus, working grant (1 year)
2021: Helsinki City Grant, working group Museum of Impossible Forms
2020: Kone Säätiö, COVID grant for organisations, working group Museum of Impossible Forms
2020: Taiteen edistämiskeskus, project grant, working group – Museum of Impossible Forms
2018: Kone Säätiö, operational grant, working group – Museum of Impossible Forms, (2 years)
2018: Suomen Kulttuurirahasto, project grant, working group – Museum of Impossible Forms
2017: Aalto University, project grant, 256 Million Colours of Violence
2016: Kone Säätiö, operational grant, working group – Museum of Impossible Forms, (2 years)

Solo Exhibitions

2020: Is there a room with just a colour?, Myymälä2, Helsinki, FI
2017: Limitations of Liability, Mumbai Assembly and Harkat Studios, Mumbai, IN
2016: 256 Million Colours of Violence, Third Space, Helsinki, FI
2014: SITE: STAGE: STRUCTURE, Clark House Initiative, Mumbai, IN
2012: Of Men and Supermen, India Art Festival, presented by TAO Art Gallery, Mumbai, IN
2011: The Ballad of The War that Never Was, and other Bastardized Myths, TAO Art Gallery, Mumbai, IN

Performance

2023: Conflictorium, ETMU Days 2023, Jyväskylä University, Jyväskylä, FI
2022: Narrating WAR, Maunulatalo, Helsinki, FI
2021: Ballad of the Lost Utopian Meadow, a series of 3 performances in collaboration with Vidha Saumya, varialambo, and Joss Allen, as part of Aikakoneita Ja Utopiotia: kotinpaluu, kaukokaipuu, Elinehtoja (Time Machine and Utopias: Wanderlust, Lifelines, Homecoming), curated by Hanna Johansson, Ainola Museum, Visavuori Museum, and Tarvaspää Museum, FI
2021: Narrating WAR / Habitat 1, 4 performances in collaboration w/ varialambo, in ‘Reciprocities’, curated by Christine Langinauer, Vantaa Art Museum ARTSI, Vantaa, FI
2020: Narrating WAR, MOBILITIES, curated by Leena Kela, New Performance Festival, Turku, FI
2020: Glitchverse, Souja/Shelter Festival 2020, curated by Lívia Nolasco-Rózsás, Ksenia Yurkova, Anastasia Vepreva, Helsinki (online)
2019: Narrating WAR, Relational Figures, Myymälä2, Helsinki, FI
2019: direct-contact// feedback, w/ Vidha Saumya, Pixelache Festival 2019: Breaking the fifth Wall, Helsinki, FI
2018: Narrating WAR, Experimental Event VI – La Torre de Babel, curated by Anna Jensen and Andrea Coyotzi Borja, Valimo Hall of Palmgren Conservatory, Pori, FI
2018: Narrating WAR, Carincarina, Nova Gorica, SL
2018: Narrating WAR, Performance LAB VII, curated by Vishnu Vardhani Rajan, Museum of Impossible Forms, Helsinki, FI
2018: Cyborg Archives: GarbageInGarbageOut, TIFA Working Studios, Pune, IN
2018: Cyborg Archives: Can Archives Speak?, TIFA Working Studios, Pune, IN
2018: Narrating WAR, TIFA Working Studios, Pune, IN
2017: Narrating WAR, Memory of War, curated by Heidi Hänninen, Kaapelitehdas, Helsinki, FI
2017: Narrating WAR, Clark House, Mumbai, IN
2016: Where does poetry nest?, curated by Giovanna Esposito Yussif, Pispala Memorial, Tampere, IN
2016: null.void, for Chimurenga: Pan-African Space Station, curated by Ahmed Al-Nawas, Kallio Public Library, Helsinki, IN

Select Group Exhibitions

2023: Cruel Radiance, curated by Harri Palviranta and Marko Karo, Backlight Festival 2023, Gallery Saskia, Photographic Center Nykyakia, Gallery Koppelo, Tampere art Museum, Tampere, FI
2022: Abdication of the Geniuses Festival, Oksasenkatu 11 + Maunulatalo, Helsinki, FI
2022: Into the Void, curated by Farbod Fakharzadeh, for Ars Pori, Pori, FI
2022: Locus of Control, curated by Abhinit Khanna and Anoushkaa Bhatnagar, for House of Creativity, Mumbai, IN
2021: Data Vitality: Soft infrastructures and Economies of Knowledge, Aalto University, Helsinki, FI
2021: Reboot Me Softly ↻, 19th edition of Piksel Festival 2021, Bergen, NO
2021: Central Park Archives, produced by m-cult, Maunulatalo, Helsinki, FI
2021: Aikakoneita Ja Utopiotia: kotinpaluu, kaukokaipuu, Elinehtoja (Time Machine and Utopias: Wanderlust, Lifelines, Homecoming), curated by Hanna Johansson, Ainola Museum, Visavuori Museum, and Tarvaspää Museum, FI
2021: To Err is Human, curated by Anna Ruth, Mänttä Kuvataideviikot, Mänttä, FI
2021: Reciprocities, curated by Christine Langinauer, Vantaa Art Museum ARTSI, Vantaa, FI
2020: Meadow, curated by Taru Elfving, Fiskars Village, FI
2020: A Tapestry of Time, TAO Art Gallery, Mumbai, IN
2019: Making Space, curated by Saloni Doshi, Sakshi Art Gallery, Mumbai, IN
2018: No Corners, TAO Art Gallery, Mumbai, IN
2018: Assembly of Access, TIFA, Pune, IN
2017: Partizaning Maunula, Maunulatalo, Maunula, Helsinki, FI
2017: OUT 2, Research Pavilion: The Utopia of Access, Venice Biennale, Venice, IT
2017: Ateria/The Meal, URB 2017 + Kiasma Contemporary Art Museum, Helsinki, FI
2017: IS/NOT: Sculpture for the Post-Truth Era, Aalto University Learning Centre, Helsinki, FI
2016: Immersion 2016, Aalto University, Espoo, FI
2016: Where Does Poetry Nest?, curated by Giovanna Esposito Yussif, Galleria Emil, Tampere, FI
2016: Space Invaders IV: Heterotopia, Espoo, FI
2016: SOAK, D/func.t, Helsinki, FI
2016: *Whose History is it anyway?, Aalto University, Espoo, FI
2015: Cisspace: Construct(ed.), Otaniemi Recycling Center, Espoo, FI
2014: Infinite, TAO Art Gallery, Mumbai, IN
2013: Small is Beautiful – II, TAO Art Gallery, Mumbai, IN
2013: Beyond the Canvas, curated by Kalpana Shah and Sapna Kar, TAO Art Gallery, Mumbai, IN
2013: Tagore Lost and Found, curated by Bina Sarkar Ellias, IndiaBulls Art Gallery and Auction House, New Delhi, IN
2013: Equilibrium, TAO Art Gallery, Mumbai, IN
2012: Synergy, TAO Art Gallery, Mumbai, IN
2012: Small is Beautiful, TAO Art Gallery, Mumbai, IN
2010: Three New Voices: Dimensions in Time & Space, Art Heritage, New Delhi, IN
2010: April Salon, Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke, Mumbai, IN
2010: Evolve, TAO Art Gallery, Mumbai, IN
2009: Gems of India, Unicorn Art Gallery, Dubai, UAE
2009: India on Canvas, charity auction, New Delhi, IN
2008: The Kohinoor Selection, Unicorn Art Gallery, Dubai, UAE
2008: Art for Justice and Peace, Sabrang, Mumbai, IN
2008: Art Smart, Mumbai, and Delhi, IN
2007: India on Canvas, charity auction, Mumbai, IN
2007: Celebrating India, Treo Foundation, Delhi-Calcutta-Bangalore-Mumbai-New York

Curatorial Work

2024: Co-curator: Can I Join?, Haihatus Art Center, Joutsa, Finland
2023: Project curator: Agonistic Intelligence/s (or another AI/s), Summer school in collaboration with Museum of Impossible Forms (MIF) and Helsinki Art Museum (HAM) for Helsinki Biennale 2023: New Directions May Emerge, Helsinki, FI

Public Lecture I: Dalida Benfield and Christopher Bratton - Deschooling Art and Its Archives
Public Lecture II: Sinthujan Varatharajah - Who are Museums for? On Goeers and Absentees
Public Lecture III: Annet Dekker - Politics of Access within Archives as Artistic Praxis

2023: Co-curator (via Museum of Impossible Forms): New Directions May Emerge, Helsinki Biennale 2023, curated by Joasia Kysia, Helsinki, FI
2022: Project curator: Archives as Contemporary Object X, podcast series w/ Party Office b2b Fadescha, documenta fifteen, Kassel, DE
2021-2022: Curatorial advisor: Party Office, New Delhi, IN
2021: Project curator: How to Work Together? Extended notes on collaboration, part of a collaboration between Museum of Impossible Forms + Platform, in ‘20 Years of Platform Festival’, Vaasa, FI
2021: project curator: Impossible Reader 2020, How to Work Together: Seeking models of solidarity and alliance, (ed.) Aiava, Emily & Aiava, Raine. (pub.) Museum of Impossible Forms, Helsinki, FI.
2021: Organiser: Touching/Transforming, Seminar, Cluster for Critical Artistic Research, Aalto University, FI
2021: Working group: What Should Art Institutions Do Now?, Culture Lab Europe – Spaces for Solidarity, (online)
2021: Peer support: Anti-Caste Archive, Party Office, New Delhi, IN
2020: Supporting curator: In-Between, HIAP Summer Residency 2020, Helsinki International Artist Programme (HIAP), Helsinki, FI
2019: Programme facilitator: Network Effects, M-cult, Oodi Library, Helsinki, FI
2019: Event coordinator and Interviewer: Vidisha Fadescha: Party, a tool for Care – curated by Ali Akbar Mehta, part of Today Is Our Tomorrow Festival, organised by PUBLICS, Helsinki, FI
2016: Curator: MATERIAL///IMMATERIAL, A: SPACE, Espoo, FI
2016: Co-curator: SOAK, D/func.t, Helsinki, FI

Artist Talks / Conferences

2023: Keynote lecture: Curating Across Cultures, ARTIVAL RE:CONNECT, Globe Art Point, FI
2023: Panel Moderator: Collective and community-based art practices and their political potential, Together Again Festival, Finnish Institutes (Benelux, UK + Ireland, Madrid, New York), the Finnish-Norwegian Cultural Institute, and Institut Finlandais, Oodi Helsinki, FI
2023: Artist Talk: Archiving in the Age of Data, Power and Violence, Casa do Povo, São Paolo, BR
2023: Artist Talk: The Urgency of Asking Questions, Transmediale, Berlin, DE
2022: Guest Speaker: The Politics of Curating, Platform for Feminist Leadership, UrbanApa (online)
2022: Artist talk: Burn all the books that call you the unknown: Radical Archives, Party Office b2b Fadescha, documenta fifteen, Kassel, DE
2022: Panelist: How to work together – tools and practices for transgressional collective work, Stop Hatred Now! Festival, UrbanApa, Helsinki (online)
2021: Panelist: Decolonisation in the arts and cultural fields, part of ‘In Conversation with the Finnish Institutes’ moderated by Monica Gathuo, The Finnish Institute UK+Ireland, (online)
2021: Artist Talk: Central Park Archives: Access, commons, and networks of care, moderated by m-cult and invited speaker Annet Dekker, part of Gathering for Rehearsing Hospitalities Spring 2021, Maunulatalo, Helsinki (online)
2021: Artist Talk: Mobility and its Discontents: Internationalism, Mobility & Borders, Hangö Teatrträff, (online)
2020: Artist Talk: Rehearsing Hospitalities Companion 2 Readings with Annet Dekker, and Susanna Ånäs and Ali Akbar Mehta, Rehearsing Hospitalities, Frame Contemporary Art Finland, Helsinki (online)
2020: Panelist: CreaTures (Creative Practices for Transformational Futures), Aalto University, Helsinki (online)
2020: Panelist: New Standards, Stop Hatred Now! Festival, UrbanApa, Helsinki (online)
2020: Artist Talk: Towards a New Internet, In conversation with Palash Mukhopadhyay, Myymälä2, Helsinki
2020: Artist Talk: Violence in Finnish Society, In conversation with Arvind Ramachandran, Myymälä2, Helsinki
2020: Artist Talk: Digital Creativity and Entanglement, In conversation with Timo Tuhkanen, Myymälä2, Helsinki
2020: Artist Talk: Is there a room with just a colour? In conversation with Camelo Ramiro, Myymälä2, Helsinki
2019: Guest Speaker: Notes for Radical Diversity, Helsinki Art Museum HAM, Helsinki
2019: Panelist: Resistance and Re-imagining Alternatives, Nordic Decolonial Workshop, Center for Research on Ethnic Relations and Nationalism (CEREN), Helsinki
2018: Guest Speaker: Re: Musing the Museum, Part II, Kiasma International Museum, Helsinki
2018: Guest Speaker: Maunula Remix, m-cult, Maunulatalo, Helsinki, FI
2018: Artist Talk: Congratulations, the space has been invaded: NOW WHAT?, Space Invaders VI, Helsinki, FI
2017: Panelist: Decolonial Dreaming, Urbanapa 2017, Atenuim Museum, Helsinki
2017: Artist Talk: The Urgency of Asking Questions, in conversation with Kevin Lobo, Piramal Museum, Mumbai
2018: Artist Talk: Memory and the Maximum City, Godrej India Culture Lab, Mumbai
2014: Artist Talk: FOLKARCHIVE, in conversation with Sumesh Sharma; moderated by Latika Gupta, Dr Bhau Daji Lad City Museum, Mumbai

Select Teaching / Lectures

2023: Guest lecturer: Cyber Realities, Hybridity, and the Users (of Archives), Visual Cultures, Curating and Contemporary Art (ViCCA), Aalto University, Helsinki
2022: Guest lecturer: Who Watches Whom?, Art History programme, UNIARTS, Helsinki, FI
2021: Guest lecturer: A small introduction to the history of art from the Indian Subcontinent, w/ Vidha Saumya, UNIARTS, Helsinki, FI
2021: Guest lecturer: Archives as Witness, Archives as knowledge Systems, Darpan 2021, Symbiosis School For Liberal Arts (SSLA) Pune (online)
2020: Guest Lecturer and Mentor: Kuvan Kevät 2020, Exhibition Laboratory, University of Arts Helsinki, FI
2020: Guest lecturer: Archiving & the Curatorial Function, Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, Bengaluru, (online)
2020: Workshop: Central Park Archives: Collective Authorship, M-cult, Maunulatalo, Helsinki
2020: Guest Lecturer: Surrender? Surrender, Exhibition Laboratory, University of the Arts Helsinki, Helsinki, FI
2018: Guest Speaker: Cyber Archives, Die Schule der Archaeutopie in conversation with Ali Akbar Mehta, Universität für angewandte Kunst Wien, Vienna
2018: Guest Lecturer: Archiving: Histories of the Present, Visual Cultures, Curating and Contemporary Art (ViCCA), Aalto University, Helsinki
2018: Workshop: A Common Sense Manifesto of Cooking Practices for Artists, Aalto University, Espoo, FI
2011-14: Guest Lecturer: Whistling Woods International Institute of Film, Communication & Media Arts, Mumbai, IN

Select Publications

Upcoming: Journal article: The Making of Artistic Research, Miira Kallio-Tavin et al., Research Catalogue
2023: Journal article: The Politics of Togetherness: Beyond the integration infrastructure of State and institutional apparatus. In Z. Karimi, et. al. (Eds.), Rethinking Integration: Challenging Oppressive Practises and Pointing to Ways Forward. Volume 09, Migration Institute of Finland, ISBN 978-952-7399-37-8
2023: Catalog text: The Boycean double-bind: Exquisite Tension as a pedagogy of free play. In 30 Works from the Saastamoinen Foundation Art Collection, P Karttunen et al. (Eds.), Saastamoinen Foundation. ISBN 978-952-69029-1-3
2023: Catalog text: A rhythmic play of possibilities in time: Obliquo Policromo as a holder of existential potentialities. In 30 Works from the Saastamoinen Foundation Art Collection, P Karttunen et al. (Eds.), Saastamoinen Foundation. ISBN 978-952-69029-1-3
2023: Catalog text: A tessellated life: Space Structures as a philosophy of perseverance. In 30 Works from the Saastamoinen Foundation Art Collection, P Karttunen et al. (Eds.), Saastamoinen Foundation. ISBN 978-952-69029-1-3
2023: Book chapter: On the Edge of the Re(lation)al. In Lívia Nolasco-Rózsás & Marianne Schädler (Eds.), Beyond Matter, Within Space: Curatorial and Art Mediati
2022: Interview: On Recognising the moment of Hope: Speaking in Echoes with Hiwa K., In V. Saumya & E. Rahmati (Eds.), NO NIIN, 15.
2022: Review: Who Watches Whom? Ruminations on power, gaze, and field through Pivi Takala’s Close Watch. In V. Saumya & E. Rahmati (Eds.), NO NIIN, 12.
2022: Article: Bearing Witness: Articulating an Archival Practice. In Unstable capitalism, Tiede ja Edistys [Science & Progress], No.1-2(2022)
2021: Journal article: Touching/Transforming: Notes Towards Collective Critical Artistic Research Practices and Processes. (with Bäckman, F., Close, R., Godin, M-A., Kallio-Tavin, M., Mehta, A. A., Qureshi, A., & Sadatizarrini, S.) Research in Arts and Education, 4/2021, December. Aalto University. ISSN 2670-2142
2021: Book chapter: Generating (an)other economy: Working together at Museum of Impossible Forms. In E. Aiava & R. Aiava (Eds.), How to Work Together: Seeking models of solidarity and alliance (pp. 149–176). Museum of Impossible Forms. ISBN: 978-952-94-4840-1
2021: Book chapter: Ääniä Marginaalista: Museum of Impossible Forms Kontulassa [Voicing the Margins: Museum of Impossible Forms]. In A. Rastas & L. Koivunen (Eds.), Marginaaleista Museoihin [From Margins to Museums] (pp. 259-265). Vastapaino. ISBN 978-951-768-889-5
2021: Review: A longing for something written in memory: Library as Archive as Excavation Site. In V. Saumya & E. Rahmati (Eds.), NO NIIN, 1.
2021: Book chapter: Museum of Impossible Forms ja antirasistisen kulttuurituatannon haasteet [Museum of Impossible Forms and the challenges of antiracist cultural production]. In S. Keskinen, M. Seikkula, & F. Mkwesha (Eds.), Rasismi, valta ja vastarinta [Racism, power and resistance] (pp. 221-224). Gaudeamus. ISBN 978-9-5234-5107-0
2020: Book chapter: The Shape of Museums to Come. In Schnittpunkt & J Baur (Eds.), Das Museum der Zukunft: 43 Neue beiträge zur diskussion über die zukunft des museums [The Museum of the Future. 43 New Contributions to the Discussion about the Future of the Museum] (pp. 189-193). Transcript Verlag. ISBN: 978-3-8394-5270-7
2020: Curatorial text: Processing In-Between(ness), In M. Savallampi & A. A. Mehta (Eds.) In Between HIAP summer Residency publication (pp. 7-12). Helsinki International Artist Programme (HIAP).
2020: Book chapter: SAFE{R}: Evolving the Conditions for Collaboration. In Six years in the Third Space. Third Space (online).
2020: Curatorial text: Who is Welcome? – Thinking Hospitality as Museum of Impossible Forms. In Y Billimore & J Koitela (Eds.) Rehearsing Hospitalities Companion 2 (pp. 109-111). Archive Books. ISBN 9783948212438
2020: Text: A Cyber Archive of Questions. In R. Rajiv (Ed.) cohabitant/mutants, Restricted Fixations #1
2019: Curatorial text: How to be hospitable without being a motel: Thinking Hospitalities. In Y. Billimore & J. Koitela (Eds.) Rehearsing Hospitalities Companion 1 (pp. 57-65). Archive Books. ISBN 978394821215
2019: Curatorial text: Atlas of Lost Beliefs (for Insurgents, Citizens, & Untitled Bodies). Museum of Impossible Forms.
2019: Book chapter: To Not Wait for the Archive: Home and Labour mired in the complications of Invisibalisation. In S. Mahbouba, P. Jallili & E. Lagerspetz (Eds.), The Home Issue, Visual Culture and Contemporary Art Journal #5, Aalto University.
2018: Text: Colours of Violence. In N. Adajania (Ed.), AROOP III - Totems & Taboos. Raza Foundation.
2018: Journal article: Cyber Archive: Archiving as a sustainable counter-hegemonic practice. In A. Poddar & N. Desai (Eds.), Inside/Outside, Hakara Journal, #3
2018: MA Thesis: Cyber Archive: Being and Doing Knowledge. Aalto University.
2018: Editorial text: FOOD and Other Practices at the Arthouse. In A. A. Mehta & V. Saumya (Eds.), Visual Culture and Contemporary Art Journal #4. Aalto University
2017: Article: Locating: The Museum of Impossible Forms. In Kone Foundation Boldness Blog.
2017: Interview: Border Crossing: Reshaping the Agency of Struggle. In CuMMA Papers Publication Series. Aalto University.
2017: Journal article: The Photons of Politics: Footnotes for a New History. In S. Boynick (Ed.), RAB-RAB Journal for Political and Formal Inquiries in Art, #4.1 (pp. 67-79), RAB-RAB Press.
2015: Exhibition essay: No one at the ceremony remembers to mention the artist. for Vidha Saumya’s exhibition, No one at the ceremony remembers to mention the artist. Third Space.
2014: Artist book: Site: Stage: Structure. StudioVAAK.
2011: Poem: A body split in two, In B. Sarkar (Ed.), International Gallerie: Journal of Contemporary art, issue 30. Mumbai.

Public projects / Commissions

2015: TRINITY: Godrej Legacy Park Silos, Godrej One, Mumbai, IN

Residencies and Research Fellowships

2024: European Media Art Platform (EMAP), Werklietz, Halle, DE
2023-24: Research Fellow: After School, CAD+SR, Tire and Nairobi
2023: Research fellow: Technologies of Critical Conscientization, Center for Arts, Design, and Social Research together with Casa do Povo, São Paolo, BR
2022: Research fellow: Commonplaces and Entanglements VII, Center for Arts, Design, and Social Research, Spoleto, IT
2021: Titanik Artist Residency, Turku, FI
2020: Maunula Commons, m-cult, Helsinki, FI
2018: To Participate in the Archive, ARTEL 2018, TIFA Working Studios, Pune, IN
2012: SPACE 118, Mumbai, IN

Positions of Trust and Memberships

2021 – ongoing: Member, Catalysti, Helsinki, FI
2021 – 2022: Board Member, Frame Contemporary Art Finland, Helsinki, FI
2021 – 2023: Board Member, TKOK ry, the supervising body of Museum of Impossible Forms, Helsinki, FI
2021: Board Chair, Kiila ry, Helsinki, FI
2019 – ongoing: Research Member, Cluster of Critical Artistic Research (CCARE), Aalto University, Helsinki, FI
2019 – ongoing: Member, Party Office, New Delhi, IN
2019 – 2021: Board Member, Kiila ry, Helsinki, FI
2016 – ongoing: Founding member, Museum of Impossible Forms, Helsinki, FI
2016 – 2017: Member, Third Space, Helsinki, FI