Exploring the themes of equilibrium in a techno maze
An exhibition of images and objects in motion featuring works of 16 Indian and international artists is ongoing at the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art.
Titled Delirium/ Equilibrium, it brings to the audience an experiential space of video, virtual reality and kinetic artworks through themes of mystery, suspense, anxiety and disorientation.
“It is a strong, telling statement on technology and how we are in the grip of it,” says curator Roobina Karode, adding, “We’re talking about today’s world, which is disenchanting and distraught with problems, yet is tempting.”
The exhibition shows works by Amar Kanwar, Alia Syed, Kausik Mukhopadhyay, LN Tallur, Mithu Sen, Naeem Mohaiemen, Nalini Malani, Nandita Kumar, Neha Choksi, Ranbir Kaleka, Shazia Sikander, among others.
Karode shares that the artists, perhaps, are looking at both sides of the world. “They see how it’s getting fragmented and fractured, but at the same time, it is a theme that demands their attention. There is a desire for stability and balance in a topsy-turvy world, which is why the title.”
Karode, whose main interest also lay in moving objects, along with moving images, says that the artists have transformed physical objects into a psychological space. Mumbai-based artist Kausik Mukhopadhyay’s work Small, Medium, Large resembles a gadget graveyard. It features “dysfunctional, discarded, dead objects” he has been collecting for over six years. She explains, “You see dead objects lying, and suddenly you see a phone ringing. It almost comes from cinema — the mystery and suspense. They are dormant and suddenly come alive.”
The exhibition also marks a shift from what is understood to be art in a gallery or museum space. “Artists have started from paintings and sculptures, and moved to multi-media practices, explored diverse mediums that were suited to the themes they wanted to project. For me, doing a show like this was extremely challenging,” the curator explains.
She says that despite an exhilaration about working with technology, there is too much anxiety because one is completely under its control. “There are concerns in terms of cost, investment, and transportation. You want to create navigational paths, dark or semi-dark spaces, but want to minimise noise spills, and give each project its space.” Finally, Karode says it’s all about the experience of it, and being there to read the works in one’s own way.