Exhibition that showcases human-technology relationship

AIMING TO PRESENT various relationships that form out of continual interactions between natural and manmade objects, artist Ashish Monga has presented a solo exhibit titled ‘Inorganic’. The exhibition, which commenced on March 30, will conclude on April 5, at Gallery A, AIFACS, Rafi Marg.

Ashish Monga’s solo show focuses on artist’s understanding as a spectator of how humans in the present century are utilizing their technological know-how in manipulating, controlling, interfering and more often than not, transforming natural terrains as well as natural processes. Subsequently, such interactions result in various states of unfinished or finished transformations of natural landscapes that often result in complete destruction.

Monga’s artworks also lead the viewer to realize that with the boom in technology in the past few decades, humans have become increasingly dependent on electronic gadgets such as laptops, mobile phones, I-pads, air conditioners, navigation etc. More than what we would like to admit, Moga’s artworks make us confront the reality that these gadgets have become an extension of our beings, almost as if we are wearing a layer of technology over our skin.

Monga very interestingly renders this seamless integration of a crust of electronics on the body of the human and how these are eventually going to supplant every perceptible phenomenon that arises out of human interactions. His artworks represent human beings in a very cyborg-like form where technology comprises basic components of electronics like resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors, transformers, wires and the likes.

In order to bring the quality of verisimilitude, Moga uses acrylics, watercolours, aluminum rivets, wires, and other electronic parapherna- lia. These reinforce the idea that humans have accepted that these changes in life are necessary for daily functioning and that we must navigate ourselves in this entangled network of natural and artificial objects.

Ashish Moga holds a B. Tech in Electronics and Communication from Dehradun Institute of Technology. He has exhibited several times in his alma mater in the L’amour Art Exhibition and participated and won prizes in various competitions in IIT Roorkee during his graduation.

The artwork is on display between 11 a.m to 7:00 p.m.