‘Activating Space’ at the core was interested in the awakening of Khoj (alternative arts organization) as a physical architectural site, stimulating a multi-sensory experience between the artwork and the structural form it occupies. Play, light, color, shape, size and unusual materialities become interesting points of departure to intervene with the white shell of Khoj. Nine artists were chosen to explore and sculpturally investigate the form and the site of its premises , to ignite a sense of discovery and wonder and to find an interesting dialogue between the two forms.
The project ‘Adhar’ (empty space) comments on the ‘lost memory of the space’. In the process of building a new space, Khoj shed a few spatial layers and lost a bit of magnetism. All the chaos transformed into well defined spaces and functions.
The building of Khoj, in its shape and form, and with its numerous stairs and landings, created a spatial framework that almost directly alludes to these “inventions” of Piranesi. It was this possibility of an imagined interiorized landscape that we visualized, and sought to express. We created a surreal broken bridge trying or not to connect with each other. It added to the irrationality and boundlessness of the space and thus reinvented the Experience.
Khoj is a not- for-profit, contemporary arts organization based in Delhi which provides alternative arts incubation space, physically and financially. It plays a central role in the development of experimental, interdisciplinary, and critical contemporary art practice in India.
http://khojworkshop.org/#
http://khojworkshop.org/programme/activating-space-a-sculptural-enquiry/
http://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/arty-diy-projects-to-transform-your-room-into-a-personal-oasis/story-ELAVSVKQj6QT1e57mGsYoK.html
The project comments on the consequence and condition of present day Urbanity. I bring them into focus by juxtaposing the fantasies and luxuries of our present day callous lifestyle with the landscapes of waste that they generate at remote locations where they are hidden from view, removed and forgotten from our everyday lives. Tongue in cheek use of Bollywood (cinema) images and our usual activities with the looming disposal crisis proved to be quite effective to at-least instigate a dialogue.
The project was created as a blog in May 2015 . Consequently, same year, it became successful public art project and a social campaign. Karma Recycling (a recycling company) and Delhi I love you, used the work to paste on 54 garbage disposal sites in Delhi. It got quite a response with the laymen. Leading newspapers and social media picked up the project and it participated in the ongoing debate on the issue.
DILY - Delhi, I Love You, is a not for profit trust that aimed at celebrating Delhi- the megacity. It promotes and connects people who bring positive energy to the city and facilitate meaningful collaborations.
https://shailygupta.wordpress.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TclVDsVVKOQ
http://www.delhiiloveyou.com/the-dirty-pictures
http://www.thebetterindia.com/33599/bollywood-poster-campaign-to-spread-awareness-about-waste-management/
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/not-such-a-waste-of-time/article7671641.ece
http://www.scoopwhoop.com/news/the-dirty-pictures-delhi-bollywood/
Ur-banal-ism is a set of photos which which reflects my observation and investigation through the urban built.
It is an ongoing project.
As a part of my social and cultural research, I disguise myself and interact with the city at macro level. I disguise as a clown and sometimes as a man. I try to socially engage, which is otherwise a challenge with the ardent use of internet and technological platforms. Humans are pack animals – we are social creatures and not designed emotionally for long periods of isolation. Whilst new technology connects us more than ever, it also socially isolates us.
I go out on the streets and publics spaces. ‘Clown’ with its humorous self, helps people to shed their inhibitions and discuss openly which facilitates exchange of collective information . Being a man, helps me research on issues of the gender equality and gentrification. Also this changes the self experience and perception of the city.
Disguise of a ‘man and clown’ is an extension of a workshop I attended by Ms Diane Torr in 2014.
