Curated by Roobina Karode with Avijna Bhattacharya, Debashree Banerjee, Madhurima Chaudhuri, and Agastaya Thapa, the exhibition (MIRROR/MAZE) allows the viewers to engage a wide spectrum of artistic experiences, from drawing, paintings and sculptures to digital presences, AI and computer-generated images and computer coded hyper realities. Roobina’s approach to examining artworks is both straightforward and insightful. She firmly believes that it hinges upon the theme and her interests. She delves into the artist’s work, pushing the boundaries and fostering deep contemplation. Thinking about very profound questions, wanting to explore the whole idea of ineffable or indefinable. Moreover, she aimed to transport individuals to the primitive origins of existence, immersing them in emotional dread while contemplating mortality and the meaning of life. It raises provocative questions with no easy or definite answers, jilting the viewers to make their meanings. The experience is magical, combining exquisite craftsmanship with the wonders of technology. What truly distinguishes it is the limitless creativity that radiates throughout, leading to remarkable manifestations of resilience, serenity, and reflection. These intimate encounters serve as a powerful reminder of the delicate nature of life and our existence.
All of us yearn for a purpose and meaning in our lives, and the creations of these artists are remarkably intricate and thought-provoking. She was particularly interested in the keywords related to the mirror and maze. The mirror is all about reflection; it could be of many things – a methodological or a philosophical tool; it can be a way of ignoring certain mirrors because we lack interest and familiarity with the visible world. These artists are in practice also doing some invisible things, in practice. The theme united these artists, compelling them to explore the interplay of object-based works, illuminated zones, and areas of shadow. In dimly lit spaces, you witness captivating images in motion, resembling the world outside. As you venture through the exhibition, it transforms into a mesmerizing maze, where every pause, every movement, and even stillness itself, exude a sense of constant motion. It is like going with the rhythm to show the work that it carries.
She further elaborates, saying, “Take, for example, when you watch movies like Marina’s Seven Deaths. You’re immersed in the room for a solid one hour and thirty minutes, witnessing the artist in all her glory. She always questioned why it’s always a woman who ends up dead. Marina responds by utilizing her performance to explore the concept of mortality through the movements of her body. As a child, she was always anxious about death. So, she started testing the limits of her body and mind to overcome of fear of it. How do you overcome the fear of mortality, fear of pain, when I put a work like this in a show, not to show how Marina as a warrior is amazing, but also as she says we all carry the reservoir of energies within us. We just don’t know it. We need to tap our energies, we need to power ourselves. And I think those kinds of deeper truths and deeper lessons are what this show is about.”
Roobina enthusiastically revealed her meticulous approach to selecting and curating exceptional works of art. She employed keywords, serving as guiding beacons to navigate the vast realm of artistic expressions. With a deep understanding of various artists and their distinctive methods, Roobina skillfully identified the fascinating similarities between their works and the keywords, resulting in a captivating curation that truly moves them. “I understand what they do, I know how their mind works. I know what their pursuits are. So, when you know their journeys, it is easy to weave. If you know their journey you acquire a lot. As time passes, you gain insight into their true depth and passion.”
The artists in this exhibition bring forth a powerful impetus, provoking us to reconsider the essence of art and its impact on our existence. Their unique practices reflect the role of art in our lives. The journeys they embark on immerse us in the mesmerizing realms they construct; a symphony of emotions conveyed through the interplay of sound and silence; moments of deep introspection and hard work, tranquillity, and vibrant energy; the boundless expanse of emptiness and richness. These extraordinary experiences occasionally push us to the very limits of our imagination. By disrupting our sense of space and place, destabilizing our perception of fixed images, and manipulating the experience of time, these artworks heighten our awareness of the intricate nature of everyday life and evoke a lingering sense of fear toward the unknown.
When asked about her views on the narratives that the works depict, she expressed, “I simply know that it is important to tell and share stories and I think that there’s no need to shy away. Expressing our emotions can awaken a plethora of sensations, including happiness, apprehension, and an inherent susceptibility. Connecting with others can also foster an atmosphere of exploration and open-mindedness, providing a sense of relief from the burdens we carry. There is a sense of adventure in the air as we experience a lighter load when we choose to be vulnerable and forge meaningful connections with those around us. So, I feel that there’s unnecessary stress, and we create it by ourselves. Our purpose is to shape individuals who tend to avoid the truth, making it crucial to acknowledge the importance of this mirror. Whatever it may be. We’re not trying to make the world a better place. When I look at Ranbir’s poetic work, the whole idea of politics of space, the politics of time, not showing the person is dying but using the fragments and through using six of such planes you’re telling a story. So what are you supposed to do? As you embark on a storytelling journey, you embrace the notion that there exist infinite points of reference, allowing your imagination to construct a magnificent world within your mind.”
Her past works also had the symbolic approach and thus when asked about her style of exhibiting, she explains, “It takes years, and it is something which becomes part of your sensibilities. I frequently engage with these practices, as I deeply appreciate the artist’s sensibility and thought process. A lot of that reflects my life as well, I process a lot of things in my life. Most of us do, but we ignore it subconsciously. This exhibition might not be suitable for all but for me, it is an extraordinary experience. I have been completely consumed by it to the point where, even now as I stand before the artwork, I am enveloped in solitude, pondering the intricate connection between the artist and me. It brings me joy when individuals acknowledge that this exhibition provides a unique experience. I am always open to new perspectives and refuse to limit myself. A truly remarkable exhibition should incorporate a multitude of subtle details.”
Photo Courtesy – KNMA India
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