Conversation

Sahej Rahal’s Clay Art-From Biennale

“It does get into the murky territory of pretending. Isn’t that what you do with clay?

Published

10 years ago

December 9, 2014

“Sorry, did you think I would be too arty,” he asked. Casually seated at a garden in David Hall amongst nosy crickets, Sahej’s flair to surprise any- one with his outlandish concepts and infused philosophies never ceased.

From a conversation about Star Trek to the book, Brief Interviews with Hideous men by David Foster Wallace, I knew this interview was bound to have a few surprises. Earlier a painter, he’s had a tricky time moulding a relationship with clay.

Biennale awaits a game of pretence. All I can say is that it’s a visit to a laboratory- contradictory to Dexter’s though.

Photos: Jinson Abraham

Tell us a little about this laboratory, does it arise from your subconscious?

The laboratory, it immediately calls out for precision. But mine pokes fun at the idea of one and you assume you are going to look at serious art. It’s all toys, and the fun is to make the sense of this. I was inspired by sci-fi and predictions written during the cold war. About the subconscious, (he breaks into a laugh) I don’t engage with psychoanalysis. The origins of thoughts sitting in the nebula of subconscious mind are a limited way to go about it. A lot of it just comes with everything that’s around you. You are constantly assimilating things. I do feel that I haven’t engaged with that dealing of art, but for me it’s more of a cultural sphere that enters in you.

A flight from banality as we visit your space, are we going to see a few quirks like Marcel Duchamp’s (in reference to his famous art work, Fountain) in the laboratory?

(He laughs) I haven’t put any urinals, probably lion heads! Earlier, I was talking about cinema. Aspin Wall has been a stage to so many firms. I have been taking left-overs from the sets and designing the after-life of the virtual cinema. You’ll see fun objects that you think have lost value and suddenly has an importance from our past and future. It’s all about play and pretence.

You are creating ruins of the future with that of the past, quite a paradox isn’t it?

I am making a huge set of roads leading to Muziris, an absent city. It stands out in a map with historical data pointed towards it, but we do not know where it is or even its civilization. The idea of that paradox becomes a framework for imagining this lost future. Taking old things and focusing on the materiality of things and getting them to pretend to be someone else. It does get into the murky territory of pretending. Isn’t that what you do with clay?

You’ve framed a concept of attaching to things that one has detached from what was the thought process behind it?

I am kind of fascinated with the concept of value, it brings a certain aura. It will affect you in a visceral meaning. What’s fun for me is making the game of giving a meaning on a civilizational level. There are a lot of things that you may be taking seriously, poking fun on how we make meaning of past or what’s yet to come. These questions thrown out on how authentic things are or where in history do you place them?

Despite being in the presence of ruins there’s a parallel route to an interpretation, isn’t it?

It is this absurd mess that navigates the viewer, the space of it being chaotic helps you clear your mind. In Schopenhauer’s philosophy, we build the universe in our existence not in a magical way, but we make sense of it in a conversation. To look at the process and how we interpret our ruins is the conversation I want with the viewer.

Magic realism seems to be prevalent in your art, the inspiration… I really enjoy Marquez’s, Carlos Carlos Fuentes’s and Isabelle Allende’s writing (we draw the association of his clay artwork to her writing, And of Clay We are Created.) In Jorge Borges’s writing, he gives you piece of conversation and you have to figure out the story on your own, and frame multiple options. How words move around and conjure to a prose is what I look for in art- be engaged and inspired. Making sense is a part of our cultural domain. That’s what magic realism does.

What’s the element of magic in Biennale?

I am thrilled to work in Atul Dodiya’s space. His decoupage was a sensorium of images from Bollywood to David Hockney and Goddard. Jitish Kallat talked about the Biennale being an in between space – just like when you attend a lecture and you go out in between for a couple of drinks. The concept of Biennale is like mashwaro – fil in the atmosphere. It creates a space where you can be laidback and continue in an informal way. Biennale’s ethos tries to break the code of elitism and just enjoy a conversation.

Related Topics:art Biennale fwd kochi laboratory sahej rahel

Up Next

Biennale’s Space for Art

Don't Miss

Sumakshi Singh and Art of Illusion

Comments

Conversation

Netflix’s Cleopatra: A Controversial Provocation Egypt Could Do Without

Published

2 years ago

May 21, 2023

Keerthi Thilakan

In the realm of streaming content, Netflix’s Cleopatra has recently grabbed attention, trending on most-watched charts amidst a contrived controversy over the casting of a Black actress in the iconic titular role. Produced by Jada Pinkett-Smith, this installment is the second in her ‘African Queens’ series, which has stirred debates surrounding representation and historical accuracy. However, the current state of Egypt, grappling with numerous challenges, suggests that this provocative series is the last thing the nation needs.

The portrayal of Cleopatra has always been intertwined with fascination and debate, particularly centered around her appearance rather than her race, in historical accounts. The Hollywood industry, historically dominated by white executives, had marginalized Black talent, deeming them unmarketable and unworthy of significant roles. The industry’s limited embrace of Black stories in the past was primarily driven by profit rather than genuine progressivism.

In the case of Netflix’s Queen Cleopatra, the casting of a Black performer in the lead role was destined to ignite controversy, especially among Egyptians increasingly hostile towards Afrocentrism. However, the preceding installment of the ‘African Queens’ series, Njinga, did not generate significant interest or impact, lacking the depth to stimulate intellectual discourse.

Director Tina Gharavi’s previous works, while sincere in their storytelling, did not display visionary filmmaking challenging the conventional Anglophone documentary style. Despite this, Netflix and Pinkett-Smith effectively employed marketing tactics, leveraging the race card to generate buzz around Cleopatra, ultimately leading to its elevated position in the charts.

Disappointingly, Queen Cleopatra fails to offer any fresh insights into the Egyptian icon. The four episodes follow a predictable and formulaic narrative structure, focusing on Cleopatra’s rise and fall without delving into her race. The series, featuring medium close-up interviews with academics predominantly from American and British institutions, coupled with lackluster dramatizations, fails to engage viewers or provide an aesthetically distinct perspective.

The show’s emphasis on Cleopatra’s physical beauty and sensationalized elements aligns with Netflix’s faux-liberal gender and sexual politics, which are often presented simplistically and lacking depth. While the representation of minority groups in film and TV is an important concern, solely focusing on representation can overshadow other vital aspects, such as artistry, film history, and the political use of aesthetics.

Critics and viewers fixated on the racial depiction of Cleopatra, generating substantial media coverage and overlooking the artistic value and storytelling approaches employed in the series. Amidst the heightened racial discourse, the nuances of Egypt’s complex relationship with blackness have been lost. Egypt’s struggle with economic crises, political challenges, and external influences leaves the nation feeling helpless and disheartened.

In its current state of turmoil, Egypt seeks a savior and is grappling with collective defeat, making the Netflix provocation an unwelcome addition. The nation, deprived of agency and self-determination, holds onto its historical heritage, which has been plundered by the West for centuries. In such circumstances, a reframing of their own history, even in the form of a fictional series, elicits a strong reaction from a nation grappling with numerous challenges.

Ultimately, while the casting controversy surrounding Netflix’s Cleopatra has sparked discussions on representation and historical accuracy, Egypt’s broken state and desperate need for stability and self-determination make this provocative series an unnecessary and untimely distraction.

Conversation

Unleashing the Power: Scorpio Lunar Eclipse on May 5th Signals Major Transformation Ahead

Published

2 years ago

May 5, 2023

Keerthi Thilakan

The cosmos are gearing up for a powerful event: the May 5th lunar eclipse in Scorpio. This celestial spectacle promises to be a transformative experience that will shake us to the core. As the full moon aligns with the sun and the Earth casts its shadow, Scorpio’s dark and intense energy will be unleashed, inviting us to confront our deepest fears and desires.

Scorpio, known for its enigmatic nature and passionate intensity, is the zodiac’s most enigmatic and mysterious sign. It’s associated with death, rebirth, and transformation, making this lunar eclipse an auspicious time for letting go of old patterns and embracing a new, more authentic way of being. The Scorpio energy is all about digging deep into the shadows, exploring our subconscious minds, and facing the truth no matter how uncomfortable it may be.

During this lunar eclipse, we can expect intense emotions to surface, bringing to light buried feelings and hidden desires. Scorpio’s energy is not one to shy away from the taboo or the uncomfortable, and neither should we. It’s time to confront the parts of ourselves that we’ve been keeping hidden, and to embrace our true selves.

As we navigate this intense energy, it’s important to remember to practice self-care and self-love. Scorpio’s energy can be overwhelming, so be sure to take breaks and ground yourself when needed. The lunar eclipse is an opportunity for growth and transformation, but it’s up to us to take the necessary steps to harness this energy and make the most of this powerful celestial event.

In conclusion, the May 5th lunar eclipse in Scorpio is a powerful and transformative event that promises to shake us to our core. It’s an opportunity to face our fears, embrace our desires, and transform ourselves from the inside out. So, get ready to unleash your inner Scorpio and embrace the intensity of this celestial event.

Art

8 Best Podcasts of 2020

Published

4 years ago

November 27, 2020

Abhirami Chandran

To the people who doesn’t know what a podcast is- it’s pretty much like a radio show and is released in a streamable or downloadable format through various sites. You can access to millions of podcasts in many genres from anywhere you have internet access.

Here’s a list of podcasts for you to listen:

The Musafir Stories – India Travel Podcast

The Musafir Stories is a wonderful online podcast that talks about iconic and, in fact, all sorts of travel destinations. The podcast series is hosted by Saif Omar and Faiza Khan who talk to fellow travellers about their various adventures across India.
Available on iTunes, Google podcasts, JioSaavn, and Spotify.

https://themusafirstories.com/

Second Life

This online podcast is hosted by Hillary Kerr from the well-known fashion publication Who What Where and it chronicles the career changes of its many guests. It spotlights successful women who’ve made major career changes.

You can listen to her episodes on Apple podcast, Spotify, and Podbean.

https://www.secondlifepod.com/

In The Dark

In The Dark’s content is about uncovering the world’s most iconic crime cases. In short, it’s an investigative journalism podcast, hosted and narrated by Madeleine Baran.

You can listen to it on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, and Podbean.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/american-public-media/in-the-dark-apm

The Passion People Podcast

The Passion People Podcast is a series of conversations about following a passion and how to manifest it. There are several conversations with experts, entrepreneurs, and icons that inspire the listeners, and the show is hosted by Naga Subramanya.

You can find the podcast on Stitcher, Apple Podcast, and JioSaavn.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/naga-subramanya-b-b/the-passion-people-podcast

GayBCD

GayBCD is an online podcast that seeks to understand what it means to be queer in today’s time. It’s hosted by Sunetro Lahiri and Farhad Karkaria and is created by IVM Podcasts. You can expect to find funny and comforting discussions about coming out and how a sense of humour, wisdom, and parlance play such an important role in understanding yourself better as a person.

This podcast series is easily available on YouTube, Stitcher, JioSaavn, and Apple Podcast.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/indus-vox/gaybcd

Harry Potter at Home

Harry Potter At Home is a new series by the Wizarding World that has famous names from entertainment, music, and sports reading chapters from Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone, and the magic is still alive. They currently have the first two chapters out – the first by Daniel Radcliffe and the second by Noma Dumezweni.

You can listen to the series on Spotify and a video version is available on Wizarding World.

https://open.spotify.com/show/2JUljwaD9fNSeq8Vy3UAUp

Maed in India

Maed in India prides itself on being India’s first indie music podcast and features conversations with, well, independent musicians from India and abroad. From unreleased music to unknown music stories, they have it all. It’s great for discovering new music, too.

You can listen to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, JioSaavn, Podbean, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.

https://maedinindia.fanlink.to/podcast

The Corner Flag

Indian fans of the European and Worldwide football can rejoice in this chat show about sports with comedian Amogh Ranadive. If you like hearing commentary on the latest Premiere league (or other) antics with an Indian twist this might just be the Indian chat show for you.