The installation exhibition Faad (Trap) is underway at Kalakendra in the capital’s Lalmatia area. Inaugurated on Saturday evening, the show presents a distinctive fusion of Bengal’s aquatic culture, traditional crafts, and architectural concepts.

Curated and researched by architect Masrur Mamun Mithun, the exhibition has been set up by Wakilur Rahman, Masrur Mamun Mithun, and Syed Saif Ali. Contributors to the collection and collaboration include Abid Hasan Noor, Dhali Al Mamun, Nisar Hossain, Lala Rukh Selim Todi, Wakilur Rahman, Khurshid Alam Alok, and Nasrin Jahan Khushi.

Speaking about the exhibition, curator Masrur Mamun Mithun said, “The nature of the faad (trap) holds potential for further wonder and discussion. The thin bamboo walls neither block the eye nor the flow of water, yet they enclose an empty space inside—they become a house or a prison only after one entres, not before. The folded pathways leading to the entrance have spatial arrangements, directional temptations, and blindfolds for those attempting to exit. Fish enter but cannot escape. The smaller ones may not even realise it, finding space to move within. This lifeless yet fascinating duality provokes philosophical reflection, while the visual and spatial dynamics of its openings, closings, and structural logic expand the imagination beyond mere functionality.”

Faad also resonates within a broader international context. Japanese artists Tanabe Chikunsai and Kazuaki Honma, along with Taiwanese artist Cheng-Sung Feng, have long explored bamboo as a medium for light, shadow, and spatial rhythm. The geometry of Bengali fishing traps finds an unspoken kinship with their creations. Much like Cheng-Sung Feng’s Fish Trap House, which transforms a traditional form into an inhabitable space, Faad reimagines the Bengali trap as a living metaphor—an architectural idea breathing with artistic spirit.

The exhibition features bamboo fishing traps of various shapes and types, collected from artisans across the country. It will remain open to all till 18 October.