Danka - Pakistan's Cultural Guide

Profession: Photography Location: Lahore www.malcolmhutcheson.com Documents: Interview with Malcolm Hutcheson Administration by matthias		Malcolm Hutcheson is a photographer based in Lahore. About his work and vision he says "The camera is a tool I use to amplify my voice so I can shout about what I believe is important." and his current motto summarizes as: "If farming is not done for its own sake it is difficult for others to profit from it." Danka´s Interview with Malcolm: Current projects/activities: I am working on a series of photographs entitled, “A short history of water in the Punjab" (see gallery below for some examples). I use a cheap old camera and an older technique because good stories should be simply told. About Lahore or Pakistani culture: I like the city between 5 am to 8 am when it is just waking up and I like watching the birds and bats return to roost at dusk but I see less of this since kites are banned. Since when are you in the music/art scene? Since a long time. Why did you choose being an artist as your profession? It was unavoidable, though I have been a nurse which was a necessity. What do you think should be done to improve the situation of artists in Pakistan? If the artists care for the society then the society must care for them. But I don’t think it does. So in adversity, carry on regardless, there is nothing to be gained by stopping. With which artists have you been working together/jamming? I have been working with Nashmia Haroon, Asif Khan and Ayesha Vellani, all great photographers. I have enjoyed our collaborations. What do you think about the Pakistani food scene? I don’t eat out much. Which kind of events do you attend? As above. Do we really need art and music if yes why? Art, in its broadest sense is as important to an individual as bread. A painting on a wall may make little impact on society, but if you are sitting in a room, look around you, everything you see will to a greater or lesser extent have been designed to look a certain way based on an artists judgment, (I include product design as well as painting as important artistic practises). Of course, music is the best. What are your upcoming projects? I have some ideas, but it is too early to speak of them. What kind of music do you like? All good music regardless of genre and I hate all bad music very much.