Monday, May 21, 2012

‘Archaeology of time’ mapped in an unconventional art form

Land art either subverts the landscape for newer forms in both nature and cities or documents the lusty landscape and its symbols to convey a specific idea as perceived by a creative mind. Supported by the French Embassy and its arms, three of them have meticulously captured the country’s everyday heritage, bringing to India the captivating concept of ‘land art’.

India’s urban landscape is fast changing. In just a matter of decade, New Delhi might ‘touch’ the pink city of Jaipur crafting new land art symbols such as urban ruins and high-rise archaeology, according to Alex Boucher, a French land artist-archaeologist settled in the capital city of India.

He has chosen to enhance one of his land art projects canvas, ‘Little Temples to the Road’  that he started in France way back in 1995 for documenting the vanishing little old landmarks such as small kiosks, the craftspeople and streetside garages. His work revolves around demolition, construction as well as the accumulation of neo-ruins of structures, he terms the ‘archaeology of time’.

Delphine Gibley Ghai, an artist of French origin, unveiled a built art project (‘Open’) in Delhi, has mapped the land art of India and also its South Asian neighbors in stimulating photographs. At another exhibit on view at the American Centre, four women artists namely, Danielle Smith-Llera, Anja Palombo, Adele Caemmerer and Eva Gustafson have brought into play the various elements of land art – peculiar urban symbols - from the capital city for a graphical mapping of the metropolis so as to raise pertinent questions about aspects like traffic, sound and immediate environment.

One can state that land art in a more familiar and more indigenous context has been pioneered in India by the Khoj International Artists Association largely through its series of interactive art projects. These are mostly focused on issues related to urban India. Only a small band of urban artists and photographers even now stick to the concept in their practice as far as India is concerned. But things may change over time, with an increasing awareness of the art form.

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