This installation was commissioned for the Moscow Biennale in 2013, where Aisha Khalid initiates a discourse on the adverse effects of the Industrial Revolution on the weavers of Bengal. The installation features a white stretch of muslin adorned with stamped roses, some fully embroidered while others are left incomplete, evoking a scene of energetic activity abruptly abandoned.

Running parallel to this is a length of camouflage-printed fabric, pierced with needles, as if left by craftspeople who have either completed their work or taken a pause. This fabric subtly hints at war and unrest. Accompanying the scene is a video projection, where the relentless rat-a-tat of a machine embroidering echoes the ominous sound of gunfire.

Through this work, Khalid not only reflects on the devastating impact of the Industrial Revolution and the helplessness of the weavers but also encourages Western viewers to engage with Eastern perspectives, bridging the gap between historical exploitation and contemporary understanding. The title of this installation draws inspiration from Tolstoy’s quote, “The two most powerful warriors are time and patience.”