The Final Speech – Curated By Wendy Amanda Coutinho
The Final Speech curated by Wendy Amanda Coutinho with Ratnadeep Adivrekar, Smruti Joshi, Subodh Kerkar, Riyas Komu, Viraj Naik, Pranati Panda, Sonia Rodrigues Sabharwal, and Kishore Shinde A seminal occurrence in cinematic history, The Final Speech was written and delivered by Charlie Chaplin in the film, The Great Dictator, in 1940. Amidst the brutal devastation caused by wars, this speech was a passionate plea for peace, unity, and human dignity. Chaplin was deeply affected by Hitler’s speech at the Reichstag in 1939, which called for a ‘New Order’ in Europe, where the dictator justified aggression and violence through grandiose rhetoric in an expansionist tone. Employing parallel speech methodologies, Chaplin used this film as a platform to advocate the end of fascism and the atrocities being committed in its name. Close to a century now, the relevance of this addressal remains remarkable; hearing it today still reaffirms the real threat that prevails and lurks in the shadows of human folly, interweaving division and discrimination. This declaration elicits power that is indestructible, and forever pertinent. It compels the listener to act immediately; whether psychological or physical, a change is clearly set in motion. Inspired by this belief, through the exhibition also titled, The Final Speech, one experiences words transfigured into visuals, that pose as a testament to the enduring power of art and the human spirit. A confluence of thoughts, mediums, and narratives, the artists explore concepts of love, loss, hope, and resilience. The artworks and Chaplin’s speech, offer a deeper, more meaningful perspective, as well as help apprehend shared human experiences and emotions. Designed to inspire simultaneous retrospection and introspection, this exhibition makes allowances for the truth to be seen in a new light, assisting a shift in perspective, thus, paving a way for transformation. Coveying multifarious views and sentiments, in their response to Chaplin’s speech, the artists have charted an array of visual cues on aspects governing our existence. These depictions, like words, convey more than just information; they evoke memories, intentions, and beliefs. They serve to inspire us, comfort us, challenge us, motivate us, reshape our perception of the world, and influence our behaviour. Consequently, these works of art do not remain passive symbols, but active agents of dialogue that hope to alter the predetermined course of reality. The Final Speech, therefore, creates avenues for every individual to contemplate, connect, and collaborate as an integral instrument of this machinery we call humanity. Let us not, for one moment, forget, like Chaplin said, “In you! You, the people, have the power!”
On view: 17 Mar 2023, 87 F, Golf Course Road, Gurgaon, Delhi NCR Till 21 Apr 2023
https://www.galleriesplash.com/site/exhibitionsview?id=137