ISLAMABAD: Dr Federico Bianchi, the first secretary at the Embassy of Italy and Lavinia Filippi Bianchi, an Italian art historian and contemporary art critic, inaugurated an exhibition by Imran Hunzai at the Satrang Gallery here on Wednesday.

The show, titled `Body Extensions` was the first solo show at the venue and will continue for a month.

Dr and Mrs Bianchi are both avid supporters of Pakistani art and appreciated the growth of conceptual art in Pakistan.

They congratulated Hunzai on his reflective work and attempt to `give trash a second chance`.

Imran Hunzai is an assistant professor at the National College of Arts (NCA) and has worked in different mediums to execute pieces that invariably make social comments.

To date his work has been in more typical mediums such as wood, metal and stone but in this collection he has created sculptures and jewellery out of discarded electronic parts.

He said that since their invention electronic gadgets have vitally transformed the way we communicate with other people, the way we normally view entertainment and even the way we motivate ourselves to be productive at work.

He added that the physical and practical impact of electronic gadgets is such that they are virtually extensions of our body parts.

He feels that to some extent this collection is also a reflection of his commitment to responsible citi-zenship. There is a sense of giving new life to, what is in modern day attitudes, trash. Thus, in this exhibition miniature batteries and chips, coloured wires and motherboards are combined to imitate jewellery and footwear.

Satrang Director Asma Rashid Khan says, `Imran is a multi-talented artist sculptor, poet musician (he plays 12 different instruments) and a performance artist.

His poetry and sculptures reflect his deep feelings on modern day social behaviour and this exhibition is a comment on our increasing dependence on technology and the rate of evolution ofgadgets.

She added: `Hunzai`s work pays homage to the devices that help us function while particularly acknowledging older models and inventions that are now defunct.

Faseeha, an acquaintance of the artist, found the exhibition inspirational as she said: `It is amazing; we throw these things away.

Now I want to try my hand at making some jewellery.

She added that Imran is a sculptor by training and trade and this sort of work is very new for him.

Javeria Masood, a graduate of NCA teaching at Nust, said that the pieces were interesting indi-vidually although in some cases the backgrounds tended to overshadow the work.

Ahmed, a more critical viewer, said that while the pieces are pleasant they lacked presence.

He added that he was familiar with Imran`s work as a sculptor and had expected the works to make more of a statement.

Member of National Assembly Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtyar said the work was very interesting, centered on a unique concept.

He added that the collection gave him a sense that we were witnessing the making of a Damien Hirst.