Conversation

Sumakshi Singh and Art of Illusion

“I don’t define art. If you define it you kill it. If I had to say it then I wouldn’t be making it.”

Published

10 years ago

December 9, 2014

FWDmedia

(Inputs from Rekha Soman)

“I don’t define art. If you define it you kill it. If I had to say it then I wouldn’t be making it.”

A vantage point is not just a physical entity. Sumakshi Singh’s explorations into perspective have made her an internationally recognized contemporary artist. Born and brought up in Delhi, Sumakshi was trained in painting at M S University, Baroda. Since then she has travelled all over the world working and exhibiting.

She creates site specific installations which prod the existence of time, understanding, fist interpretations and self-reflection. Drawing from her own experiences, the artist uses mix media to draw you into the artwork and leave you with transcending thoughts.

Photos: Jinson Abraham

What does the Biennale mean to you?

What you see here is a lot of goodwill coming together. Often in the art world and at art fairs what you sense is a kind of competiveness and galleries favoring their artists. Here art is not for sale and is not a commodity.

Artists and curators are all stepping in to offer their own private funds and energy. A community is coming together to make this happen which is a really positive thing for the art fraternity. What I’m enjoying about the Biennale is that it is all about ideas and pushing your practice, along with pushing the context of everybody’s practice.

What has been your experience so far?

It is very inspiring to be here. A large part of it is due to the fact that the curator Jitish Kallat has individually worked with the artists on their concepts and ideas. He has asked us to work on our ideas and not take short cuts. We are inspired to go all out. You don’t really see that in many places in the art world. This is not market driven and it is really about ideas and having a dialogue. This is an incredible platform for people to come and really expand their practice and tap into inspiration.

How do people interpret your work?

I make art for self-discovery. I ask the artwork what it wants to become and then onwards it’s a strange little dance. I feel uncomfortable when I work. I am a person who wants to be in control. I don’t know what it is going to become, but learning to trust is very soothing. Very often people understand exactly what I am hoping for and beyond. When somebody comes back and tells me what they saw, suddenly there is a bubble of joy inside due to a realization that what they saw is what I unconsciously meant it to be. Obviously, something is coming through the work that is not from your brain or your conscious intent, but it is like ‘you’ are just seeping through your work.

For some people, my art is very much like a mark of our generation where we are in multiple places at the same time. Where are you really? How do you locate yourself? Our generation deals with this all the time with Skype, Facebook and SMS. Is it where your physical body is placed, where your attention is or a meeting online? There is this multiplicity now and space is collapsing in a way. If two hundred years ago. You tell someone that you could talk to another without being in the same room, they would not believe you. Other thing that people tell me is that it is like a space -time hiccup.

Your vision gets stuck at one point in space and somehow you are allowed to walk away from it and enter it from another angle. In a way, you are in an abstract map of your own vision. My yogi and monk friends often see my work from the angle of ‘Maya.’ It is an illusory world that we inhabit and it is only through the mediated do we try to make sense of our world. What is real and how do you recognize it? There are many questions that I have in my mind and that comes out through the work.

Tell us about your current work

I am doing an installation at Pepper House where I work now from nine in the morning to nine at night. You enter this seventy foot long room with scrolls of paper hanging floor to ceiling at twelve feet height. You see a swirling group of planets, an astronomy diagram that are actually based on the ‘Suryasiddhanta,’ an ancient text. It talked about gravity and calculus way before Newton. A lot of the drawings and mythologies are projected on large sheets of paper. Then you come across a table where there is an open manuscript where birds are fling, a tree is growing and people are moving.

It is a conglomeration of the history of Kerala. Afterwards, you enter a maze of hanging scrolls and as you walk around you see semi abstract drawings. You walk further and you see yourself as a live projection where you are now in the book. You have become a character in the manuscript and the latest addition to Kerala’s history.

Related Topics:art Biennale funds fwd illusion interview kochi maya Sumakshi Singh work

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Conversation

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

Published

1 year 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

1 year 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.