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“A creative artist is one who either captures mystery or reveals things, everything else is useless.”
Padmashree Raghu RaiAssociate, Magnum Photos
“Taking photographs to another level”
~ Dr. Alka Pande (Consultant Arts Advisor and Curator of the Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.)
“Exciting concept and brilliant execution”
~ Girish Shahne (Director - Art, The Skoda Prize)
“Best exhibition of the season”~Meenakshi Devi Singhania (Art conservation appraisal consultant)
Brilliant !! Truly!!~ Asha Kochhar (Fashion show producer & Photographer)
“Very interesting way of presentation”~ Avinash Pasricha (Photographer)
“I’m so happy that I could come for the show. These things open up the mind”~ Hemant Khandelwal (Photographer)
“Enjoyed the journey...Brilliant. Inspiring thought process... Avant Garde”~ Amber Tikari ( Stylist and Interior decorator)
“I’m stunned behind the genius that put this exhibition together”~ Sumiko Murgai Nanda (Photographer)
“Each photo story has a zen like quality-wonderful to see life intutively like this! You have included all the moments of life and the world around us”~ Yamini Jhingan (Professor of Philosophy)
“This is an amazing journey with you, maybe too short but wonderful. Thank you for this escape”~ Stephane Hoarau (Security officer, French Embassy)
“We will never be able to look at a photo without it being an experience after this”~ Kishore Roy (Senior Executive - Levis India)
“Fabulous experience”~ Ashish Chawla (Photographer)
“Loved, loved, loved the exhibition! The thought process behind each piece makes it more than just a visual treat.”~ Natasha Khurana (Fashion Features Editor - Elle India)
“A fresh take on so many different ideas, a new way of extending your imagination and over and above extremely inspiring”~ Sonia Dutt (Style Editor - Elle Decor, India)
THE DECONSTRUCTION PROJECTan exhibition of photo art installations
Galerie Romain Rolland, Alliance Française de DelhiSeptember 1st – 4th, 2012
First exhibition of artist S. Thiru and Vikrant Sharma
“A spatial experiment to discover different meanings by taking apart the visual tapestry of photographs and delving below its surface meaning”
The Deconstruction project, a series of photo art installations is an ongoing spatial experiment by artists Thiru and Vikrant. Self-curated, it is an experiment to discover different meanings by taking apart the visual tapestry of photographs and delving below their surface meaning. It is an exhibit, wherein the essence of photographs has inspired the installations for an enhanced sensory experience.
The key to the unique collaborations by S. Thiru and Vikrant Sharma lies in the pair’s refusal to be labelled. Thiru is a photographer, while Vikrant, is an architect by profession. But they are both unconstrained by these convenient labels. Over his 10-year career, Thiru is known for putting things together in the most unconventional manner, whether it is photography or graphic designing, effectively blurring the lines between the fields of art and communication, between concept and construction.
Similarly Vikrant who is a principal at Hive Design, New Delhi has long forged a highly credible reputation with several of his functional and indelible works. He endeavors to show the genuine possibility in creating spaces that emerge through a process of collective dialogue, deciphering contexts, and sharing of knowledge through imagination, inquisitiveness and modesty. His attempt is to remain intuitive, and strive for spaces that are sensory.
So the coming together of two such multi-disciplined, creative and technical talents was natural and always had the potential to produce a work of intrigue, not least because both think far beyond the conventional. They work through an iterative process, where ideas are explored through the production of mock-ups, models, material studies, sketches and drawings.
in association with: About Galerie Romain Rolland:
Named after the French novelist, mystic, pacifist and Nobel Laureate not only for his great love for India but for his perception that art must be a struggle to sensitize and bring enlightenment to people, boasts of an area of 180 sq. metres. It has already played host to many an artist, emerging as a Prime Venue for artistic manifestations in various genres and traditions.
General Information:
Alliance Française de Delhi: 72, Lodi Estate New Delhi - 110003.Tel: 011 43 500 222, E-mail: [email protected] Web: http://delhi.afindia.org/
S. Thiru Vikrant Sharma
Born in Bengaluru, Thiru was raised in Baroda spending his childhood years in the idyllic city of banyan trees, sparking a lifelong interest in the natural environment. He went on to study Clothing & Textiles from M.S. University (1993 – 96) and spent a year studying photography from NIFT, New Delhi in 2000 – 01. Armed with a diploma he embarked on his career in photography by shooting for leading editorial magazines like Elle, Elle Décor, and Cosmopolitan amongst others. In 2004 he co-founded White Light Design Pvt. Ltd and has been running it in the capacity of its creative director.
Thiru’s photographs are grounded in moments of life,
Born in Patna, Vikrant was groomed by collective experiences of an early boarding school-life in Darjeeling, an independent high school and enriching college life whilst residing in the myriad and multifaceted labyrinths of Paharganj, Delhi. It is here that he honed his pliant skills to work with different materials and mediums, which the locality had to offer in abundance.
He completed his education in architecture from the renowned School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi in 2006. Thereupon he went on to work as a project architect and became a core member of the design team for Spazzio Design Architecture before pursuing
which transcend beauty as we know it. They intend to show different spaces within the world, sometimes vast and unending, and at other times microscopic. Photography has taught him to let go of the preconceptions of what to expect, or want to get, and just react to the natural world. In other words to let things that are on the inside come out.
independent practice. He has designed and shaped spaces for leading brands like Dupont, Vatika, DLF, PVR, Hilton, Aviva, amongst others. Vikrant draws inspiration by conducting workshops for the inquisitors and teaching at colleges including his alma mater. He firmly believes that teaching is amongst the highest form of understanding.
1. Concept model of an egg-case designed to protect the egg from breaking after a 5-storey fall as part of a workshop studio for 1st year architecture students of SPA, Delhi.
2. Dynamic facade made up of sliding panels to respond to climatic conditions with replaceable graphics for a private residence, Gurgaon.
3. Feature ceiling mimicking ripples on the surface of a lake to give a calming effect in an otherwise industrious environment for Vatika Business Center, Gurgaon.
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The compilation process took over six months and the inspirations arose from the thought of exhibiting photographs in an unconventional manner to communicate the intuitive observations of the world around us, which may have myriad meanings. The artists believes that a photograph is usually looked at and seldom looked into, resulting into more of a visual experience than a sensory one. The project was also about creating a new vocabulary whilst integrating newer mediums and techniques with older ones. It was this thought that inspired the attempt at a fresh approach in exhibiting photographs and how they are experienced.
All compositions target at encouraging people to interact with the artwork and encourage them to enjoy their own discovery momentum, that stays long after
THE EXHIBITS
GENESISThe genesis installation was the starting point of the project. Before we could deconstruct photographs we wanted to explore and look into what makes those images. To deconstruct the camera was like searching for its soul. In the process we realized that just like each and every part of the camera is pivotal in capturing an image similarly the myriad layers of meanings in a photograph are important for an enhanced experience.
We put it back together albeit in an altered format keeping in mind the journey of light through its soul. And we had fun too...
REIGN SUPREMEInspiration: The life and realm of a just and content Emperor. The idea of the trail and congregation is to convey the respect and admiration one can command, if they placed their best effort in their chosen domain of work and therein ‘reign supremely’.
Description: By far the most extensive installation from The Deconstruction Project, a trail of origami metallic silver and gold frogs beginning from the lily pond at the ground level of the premises, it travels down through the staircase into the gallery, congregating in a crescent shape in front of the large print of the frolicking lotus boy.
Location: Siliserh, Alwar, Rajasthan
Size: 6 ft x 3.75 ft
Medium: Print on canvas, Origami frogs
EXUBERANCEInspiration: Unguarded moments and seemingly unobtrusive elements, in the ocean of life, often conceal within them, unimagined powerful inspirations. The stories and emotions, that lie ensconced often possess the strength to lift receptive souls to a higher plane. The key is to not let allow these moments to fade into oblivion, but,. to allow them to do their magic.
Description: A white wooden frame mounted on a slim metal stand, is kept in front of the canvas print.
A frame within a frame, this installation endeavors to highlight the unguarded moment to convey the above said message.
Location: Golden Temple, Amritsar, Punjab
Size: 5.75 ft x 3.75 ft
Medium: Print on canvas
TRANSCENDInspiration: When pain is within and all around, it’s the sheer joy of being alive that resounds within the heart, banishing all signs of apparent reasons for disillusionment and dismay, making it evident to the world that the elixir of the joy of life is truly yours. That which you resist persists. It’s all about transcending pain and enhancing life whilst embracing it. The little boy’s glee, despite disfigurement truly portrays the sentiment.
Description: A triptych installation, where the first two artworks have paper pyramids with contrasting edges and the third - the image of the smiling boy, printed on canvas. The first artwork is made up of red paper pyramids, with white edges depicting the positive attitude and the second portraying the triumph of joy over sadness.
Location: Ludia Village, Kutch, Gujarat
Size: 10 ft x 3 ft
Medium: Hahnenühle Photo Rag & Paper pyramids sculpture
SMILEInspiration: Inspired by collective memories that somehow magically seem bound to that one captivating moment that seemed to define it, like an entire experience of journey seemed tied to a smiling face.
Description: A three layered artwork with the first two layers presenting stamp like perforations. The top two layers are a mosaic compilation of photographs from Thiru’s Kutch trip. The topmost layer is in black and white while the middle and third layers are in colour. The third being the pivotal image, with the top two layers offering visual play to stimulate viewer interaction, with the revelation of newer compositions.
The tear away pieces are meant as souvenirs for people to take back along with them.
Location: Ludia Village, Kutch, Gujarat
Size: 3.7 ft x 2.7 ft
Medium: Print on archival paper
EPIDERMA (Upon Skin)Inspiration: Fashion is that which is much celebrated, ever changing and forever evolving. A phenomenon that is created, controlled and consumed with equal fervor by both the creators and consumers.
Description: The largest of all installations in scale measuring over 15ft x 7.5 ft, is made using 120 A4 size panels of digitally manipulated fashion prints on backlit acrylic panels.
Held together with metal rings they form a undulating skin/layer that depicts the twitches and turns, the pushes and pulls as an analogy of the world of fashion.
Location: India Fashion Week (2002-06)
Size: 13 ft x 7.5 ft
Medium: UV print on White Acrylic
A LIFE LESS ORDINARYInspiration: Life should not be a journey with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to occasionally skid on the roadside, struggle through a cloud of smoke, be completely consumed and worn out… with an eventual exclamation … ‘Wow! What a Ride!’
Description: Inspired from the quintessential tile puzzle, this almost life size installation is made up of two layers printed on Red Oak veneer. The top one being divided into 8 movable squares, while the bottom one with 9 landscape images intends to communicate how well the bike (metaphoric) has made use of its time and purpose in life. By giving the installation dynamism, we intend to ‘give back to the bike its character’ - of always being in motion.
The installation invites the audience to play with it and thereby relay the message to do, see and play more.
Location: Diu, Daman & Diu
Size: 4 ft x 4 ft
Medium: Print on veneer (red oak)
Be/ingInspiration: It is the power of the mirror, which never loses its ability for honest reflection, even when shattered into a thousand pieces. It’s this analogy of be/ing true to ones self, like little girls who seek reassurance and dignity, in the mirror reflection, regardless of the circumstances around. A mirror, is quite like the karmic cycle of life, where if you frown at it, it frowns back and if you smile at it, the cheer returns.
Description: The installation comprises of an image printed on clear acrylic, with mirror backing, placed opposite a broken mirror on a slim metal stand. The viewer is free to pass between them.
The installation invites the viewer to be a part of the composition and the story of the girl and the broken mirror. Somewhere within the composition, they will find reflections of themselves.
Location: Siliserh, Alwar, Rajasthan
Size: 3 ft x 2 ft
Medium: Clear Acrylic & Mirror
FRAMELESSInspiration: To experience an ‘unbound’ landscape, offering a panorama ranging from the sublime to the ethereal offers a humbling, intense moment. To recreate the very essence of such an occurrence, we set out with photographs unshackled by atypical boundaries, including limiting frames. What emerged was a photo composition that can breathe air, soak light, enjoy its own space and does not stand confined.
Description: The installation is a series of landscape images, which are further divided into layers and printed over clear acrylic sheets, clamped together on a timber base, resting on a steel foundation.
The images stand uncluttered by light, with a sense of depth and continuity, unfettered in their existence.
Location: Ladakh Region, Jammu & Kashmir
Size: 3 ft x 2.5 ft
Medium: Clear Acrylic
Deconstructing daily sights for art lovers. Even the French philosopher Jacques Derrida, who first coined the concept of ‘deconstruction may not have imagined that two Indian artists would take his theory and apply it to their work in the most unconventional ways.
Frames of thought.Through their work, architect Vikrant Sharma and Photographer S. Thiru hope to promote interactive art.
Sci-fi touch to art installationsEach installation narrates a story of its own. All compositions target at encouraging people to interact with the artwork and encourage them to enjoy their own discovery momentum.
Madness in the method.The Deconstruction Project will change the way you perceive images and pictures.
Of many stories hidden behind one photograph.The Deconstruction Project is a refreshingly off-kilter approach to installation art. The joie de vivre and the quaint sense of humour of the duo stand out in almost every piece.
MEDIA COVERAGE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This exhibition would not have been possible without the help of many motivating, encouraging and kind souls. Our special thanks goes to:
Alliance Française de Delhifor the gallery, for endorsing the exhibition and for helping us reach out to art patrons.
Padmashree Raghu Rai for agreeing to grace the occasion, inaugurate our show and shower blessings.
Gaurav Dewan (Entrepreneur) for organizing the event in the best imaginable way and for sponsoring food for the opening night.
The Circus (Rock Band) for providing ‘soul’ to the exhibition with their stirring and expressive music.
Raju Suneja (Sona Papers) for blindly believing in us and for graciously sponsoring fine art paper for all the communication materials.
Vaibhav Jain (Anupam Art Printers) for being kind enough to print the invites.
Nivedita & Harmeet (Design Matrix) The exhibits would have been incomplete without their expert lighting consultation.
LSI for literally adding light and sparkle to the show by being generous with their specialty lights.
Hrishi (Artist) for his invaluable structural inputs and for simply being able to count on him anytime of the day or night.
“Real life isn’t always going to be perfect or go our way, but acknowledging of what is working in our lives can help us not only to surmount our difficulties but dream the unimaginable.”
Shalini Pahwa (PR Works) for believing in our work and taking us to the world.
Last but not least, we would like to thank our families, friends and well wishers for their blessing, good luck, for their support and encouragement by participating in our show and making it a memorable debut for us.
www.thedeconstructionproject.inE: info@ thedeconstructionproject.inM: +91 98 10 513970 / 98 10 806820
