Summary –My idea is to create a new space altogether, a new domain which gives a feeling of attachment and detachment at the same time. I want to capture peace, beauty, calmness, solace and a feeling of comfort in my work. A feeling of coziness a want to disconnect from the outside world is the main objective of the work. The materials (cotton sponge and wax) I have used are very soft, comforting and fragile. They have a notion of temporality in them.
There are two separate pieces of work all leading towards the same notion of achieving the inner peace through the path of lotus. The colour white is dominant feature of my work. The lotus flower holds a special place for all of us, East and West as it symbolizes our struggle in this world. A pure and beautiful flower is born in the still waters of the pond underneath the mud, and, when the time comes, it emerges. The lotus flower goes through much in its growth before emerging from dirty water to become a beautiful flower, the individual consciousness does the same on its path to enlightenment as the so-called impurities of unenlightened thinking gradually fade.
Objective –
I have two projects with different objectives –
Objective for project named Fantasy-
The whole feeling I want my work to give is a feeling of tranquility and serenity, my aim is that the viewers should go through a different experience when they enter my space from the outside world of pollution and haste. I want to create a feeling of entering into a new horizon, which is detached, and at the same time connected to the world.
The feeling of softness and comfort is what I would like my viewer to go through when they enter my space. The blanket of cotton flowers and the sponge form inspired by the lotus convey spirituality as protection and motherhood. They give a feeling of security with fragility. The works are ephemeral carrying the message that beauty doesn’t lasts forever. The cotton and sponge are very delicate materials and catch dust very fast.
The Enclosure-
The objective of this work is to make a person feel captured at the same time protected the lotuses are enclosed in the wax and when the viewer goes to see the work he also feels enclosed in the passage. The blue lights give a feeling of calmness to some and a feeling of restlessness to some in Hinduism its believed that visualizing blue light is the second last stage before attaining nirvana.
The mantras on the lotus are holy mantras from the Geeta they are fragments of the whole text and there is this dialogue about not coming to know the original text ever. It relates to being enclosed in out daily life without realizing the ultimate truth. He mantras written on the lotus petals and submerged in the wax indicate that these mantras are fragments of a series of text and would never be revealed to us.
The notion of the two is the main objective of the two pieces. The other piece made out of gelatin wax talks about the element of time and its relation to spirituality.
Rationale-
Throughout many cultures over time, the lotus has been a powerful image and a spiritual symbol. In Hindu, Buddhist and Egyptian religions, the lotus is considered a sacred flower. The eight petals of the white lotus correspond to the Noble Eightfold Path of the Good Law. This lotus is found at the heart of the Garbhadhatu Mandala, regarded as the womb or embryo of the world.
In Indian belief its said that the highest state attainable in the realm of samara (round of rebirth) before attaining the clear light of nirvana which is white in colour, one must achieve the characteristics associated with each color in hopes of attaining the final white light (which is essentially a combination of all colors). This whole meaning of the colour white and its connection to spirituality attracts me to keep my installation white with red text on it.
Outcome-
2 projects – Fantasy – Installation made out of cotton, sponge and cotton fiber.
Enclosure- Installation made out of wax and butter paper.
Material and process-
Fantasy – cotton and sponge – sticking cutting and sowing were the methods used.
Enclosure – gelatin wax- melting, cutting and writing were the processes used.
