Osman Khan’s exhibition Road to Hybridabad at MASS MoCA, North Adams, is a playful and thought-provoking exploration of immigrant identity, colonial history, and modern technology. Drawing on folklore, Eastern tales, and contemporary issues, Khan invites viewers into a whimsical world where history is reimagined through technology and humor.
Highlights include a coin-operated ride featuring Buraq, Mohammed’s flying horse, and drone-powered flying carpets suspended within a Taj Mahal-shaped cage. The exhibition also features an AI-driven Scheherazade—who narrates fantastical immigrant success stories—and a larger-than-life sculpture of Sir Cyril Radcliffe, the British colonialist who drew the line dividing India and Pakistan, transformed into a blue djinn guarding a gallery.
Khan uses humor to tackle serious topics like immigration and colonialism. His works blend high-tech innovations with folk traditions to critique both modern and historical injustices. The inclusion of a blue boat burning video references the apocryphal story of Tariq ibn Ziyad’s invasion of Spain, reinforcing themes of perseverance and the immigrant journey.
The artist’s playful yet critical approach aims to decolonize technology while urging reflection on the lived experiences of immigrants. As Khan stated, “I believe in facts, but everything else is a story.” This exhibition challenges viewers to reconsider the narratives around identity, history, and migration, while offering a visually rich, immersive experience at the intersection of folklore and futuristic technology.
