The exhibition ‘Auscultation: False Clouds and Real Deluges – I’ at the Vadehra Art Gallery completely captivated many during their visit. Atul Bhalla’s exceptional pieces possess a mesmerizing power that enables spectators to voyage into an unparalleled dimension, where physical and ethereal realms intertwine effortlessly, stirring a profound reaction deep within the recesses of the mind. Bhalla presents a collection of works that were created during a year-long journey along the 28 North Parallel. These works were commissioned by reputable organizations like the KHOJ International Artists’ Association and the World Weather Network. Moreover, this project has received support from the British Council’s Creative Commissions for Climate Action, a global initiative that seeks to investigate the topic of climate change using art, science, and digital technology. Bhalla has also been involved in other projects that further solidify his body of work, focusing on the interconnectedness between human impact on the environment, culture, and society.
The Table, 2023. Image Courtesy: Vadehra Art Gallery
The 28th North Parallel is a latitude that runs across a host of geographical regions and climatic conditions, including Mount Everest and the North Indian Himalayas; Rajasthan; and the Sindh Desert in Pakistan. This latitude paints a captivating picture of vast and contrasting environments waiting to be explored. Bhalla endeavors to bring climate change to the forefront of his work. He does this by combining images, materials, and imaginations in specific locations where human impact is evident. These elements function as unique records of past weather, enabling him to present compelling arguments about the alarming changes in climate conditions. The show seeks to explore the diagnosis of the world’s unpredictable weather patterns, offering a fascinating insight into its meteorology while prompting reflections on a future in which we may be engulfed by the forces of nature.
6 Weathers, 2023. Image Courtesy: Vadehra Art Gallery
Atul Bhalla has dedicated numerous years to exploring the relationship between materials and their influence on urban environments, driven by an unwavering passion for investigating social and environmental issues. Bhalla’s diverse array of artistic mediums, including sculpture, painting, installation, video, photography, and performance, provide a captivating and thought-provoking examination of the physical, historical, and political aspects of our material world. His practice explores the shifting dynamics of landscapes due to various contextual and cultural factors, leading to examinations of mainstream systems that perpetuate imbalances and extremities not only in how the Earth’s climatic conditions have been adversely altered and affected but also how, among humans, the politics of resources has skewed access and ownership across communities.
Weather These Days, 2023. Image Courtesy: Vadehra Art Gallery
His connection with nature and the elements that fulfill nature is worth exploring. The way he creates sculptures and installations is truly remarkable, evoking a profound experience and establishing a profound personal connection with both the objects and the environment. He delves into the intricate depiction of objects, creating a distinctive mode of communication that allows viewers to craft captivating narratives. Atul’s works offer narratives that beautifully blend the events of his life with his unique perspective on the world. Someone like Atul needs to reflect upon those aspects which generally remain unnoticed. The exhibition showcases a wide range of artworks that not only showcase Atul’s outstanding artistic skills but also emphasize his keen ability to choose captivating subjects.
The First Tree Across The Border, 2023. Image Courtesy: Vadehra Art Gallery
Bhalla asks his audience urgent questions that feel as poetic as they do political: What is our relationship to land? What does water mean to us? Who does a tree belong to? Applying a biopolitical perspective to analyzing land and water provides a distinctive understanding of the physical aspects involved in his work. This approach results in the creation of engaging experiences that are encapsulated by the art’s historical concept of “relational aesthetics”. It encompasses participatory art that delves into the various aspects of human existence and the interconnected environments we share. Bhalla’s study of natural elements and phenomena is nothing short of awe-inspiring and laced with satire. By juxtaposing the apparent independence of nature with our own vulnerability, he plunges us into a fleeting serenity, mere moments prior to an approaching tempest that has been brewing for ages.
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