Staff Reporter
Lahore :Lahore Digital Arts Festival (LDF) brought its groundbreaking exhibition Women vs. Machines to a powerful close this week, leaving a lasting impression on audiences and sparking dynamic conversations around gender, technology, and sports. Hosted at Beaconhouse National University, the six-day showcase drew wide acclaim for its innovative approach, diverse voices, and bold exploration of themes rarely seen in mainstream cultural spaces.
As part of Novembre Numérique, the exhibition was held in collaboration with the French Embassy in Pakistan, Alliance Française de Lahore, Beaconhouse National University, and The Little Art. Hosted at the School of Visual Arts & Design (SVAD), Beaconhouse National University (BNU), Women vs. Machines stood out for its blend of digital art, athletic activism, and curatorial storytelling.
Bringing together nine women artists and five trailblazing women athletes, the exhibition delved into the evolving intersections of gender, technology, and sports in Pakistan and beyond. The concept and curatorial theme were developed by Najam-Ul Assar, founder of the Lahore Digital Arts Festival. Building on its success, Women vs. Machines will continue its programming in November 2025 and early 2026, with additional showcases planned across various venues in Lahore.
Anum Shafique, Special Projects Manager at LDF, shared: “We need more projects like this — especially in the age of AI, where women’s rights face unknown and emerging challenges. Women vs. Machines is a significant step forward in addressing these urgent conversations.”
Rohma Khan, curator from BNU, said: “This exhibition and our partnership with the Lahore Digital Arts Festival symbolize that care. It is strategic, generative, and essential. Together, with care, we are opening up a space that allows for rupture and repair, for resistance and reimagination — and thus, for Inclusion through Art.”
Participating artist Mahnoor Ali Shah reflected: “This show brought a completely new experience. Collaborating with swimmer Jehanara Nabi challenged me to merge my artistic practice with her journey. It pushed creative boundaries and opened up an exciting dialogue between art and sport. The exhibition was thoughtfully curated and brought all the collaborations together beautifully.”
Zenith Irfan, motorcyclist and participating athlete, added: “Being part of the Women vs. Machines showcase at the Lahore Digital Arts Festival at BNU was an incredible experience. I worked with an artist who really understood what it means to be a woman navigating daily challenges like commuting — and seeing that translated visually was so powerful. It’s amazing how digital art can spark real conversations and change.”
Curated by Sarah Rajper, Rohma Khan, and Fatima Butt, and produced by Najam-Ul Assar, the project was realized in partnership with the UNESCO Chair on Inclusion through Art, led by Chairholder Rashid Rana.
On the closing day, Umair Mushtaq, Interim Director of The Little Art, shared:
“Women vs. Machines was a statement — that art can challenge systems, and stories can spark movements. We are grateful to every artist, athlete, and visitor who made this space feel urgent, beautiful, and necessary.”
Following this acclaimed chapter, LDF is now preparing its second exhibition in the Women vs. Machines series, scheduled for October–November 2025. The upcoming showcase promises to deepen the festival’s ongoing exploration into the intersections of society, innovation, and the arts.
