Jasmeen Patheja Wins Visible Award for Blank Noise Project

Jasmeen Patheja, an artist from India born in 1979 in Calcutta, has been awarded the fifth biennial Visible Award, which was initiated in 2011 by Cittadellarte and Fondazione Zegna, with curation by Judith Wielander and Matteo Lucchetti. Her project, Blank Noise, which addresses street harassment and violence against women, was recognized in the 2019 edition in partnership with Lafayette Anticipation. The shortlist featured artists like Emily Jacir, Marisa Moràn Jahn, and Richard Bell, among others. Patheja launched Blank Noise during her studies at Srishti Institute of Art Design and Technology, inspired by a social change workshop. Over 15 years, the initiative has engaged thousands of volunteers and raised awareness, particularly through the #INeverAskForIt campaign, which analyzed the clothing memories of over 10,000 women. Patheja highlighted the 2012 Delhi gang rape of Jyoti Singh as pivotal in changing public discussions, commending the #MeToo movement and activist Priya Ramani. The Visible Award will aid in broadening the project's outreach and furthering its goal of leveraging art for social change.