This project started when I went on a trip to Kerala on the 1st of July 2019. During my last week at Kochi, my friend invited me to Kannur, a city in the north of Kerala, known for its vibrant culture and rich heritage. He also recommended visiting a Temple, which I thought was impossible because of the socially and religiously created barriers in Indian society. After five hours of the train journey, I arrived at Kannur. I was very much surprised to see how unique each city of the same state is. Even though I had difficulties in understanding the dialect used by people of Kannur, the hospitality was incredible. We paid a visit to the temple the next day, 12 miles away from the place we stayed in. The environment was so welcoming. I was surprised to see dogs roaming around and inside the temple as it is not a usual sight. No-one stopped me from entering the temple. No-one stared at me for wearing a western outfit. There were no restrictions. A place where everyone is equal. A place to celebrate oneness. A place that goes against the social barriers created by caste and religion. It was very intriguing. As I entered the temple, I saw two men dressed up as the 'Hunter Gods- Muthappan and Vellattam' in a very vibrant outfit, with big headgear decorated with yellow and red flowers performing to live music. The music played was never in a steady rhythm. It was perfect chaos. Ironically, as a metaphor of togetherness, regardless of any differences, the message of being one. Following the rituals, everyone sat together to have the offerings, dogs being served first.
On my way back to my hometown, I was haunted by questions. "Why did I appreciate that experience so much? Am I not aware of the boundaries around me or Am I living in denial? Why does it feel like I am back into a prison of immoral thoughts of society ?"
It was the sense of equality. It was Redemption! The redemption of oneness that made the whole experience memorable. It was not long after I got the answers to the questions I decided to visualise this journey to redemption.
It was a coincidence that on my journey to Kerala I happened to watch 'Pariyerum Perumal', a 2018 Tamil movie. It is a kind of film, that open ups discussions about caste, oppression, equality and education. This movie helped me to ponder more about this topic, which I never considered before or in other words, my thoughts were suppressed by caste and its boundaries.
This project acts as the opening of my main project titled "Redemption", a celebration of oneness. Attending the crits made me consider different ways to describe the caste-based discrimination, as it is an under-discussed topic. It was then I researched on handmade photo books and journals and came across with astonishing works of Juanan Requena. Requena's work evokes a sense of memory and belonging. His handmade books and photographs taken in Film work well together to create an individual perception of his works. The designs he opts for his books enrich the flow of thoughts and creativity. Having a particular interest in making handmade journals, I found Requena's very motivating. His technique of playing with the words and images attracted me the most.
As an experiment, I decided to create photo books or Journals to communicate this matter to the audience through my work. I chose images shot in Yashica 35mm and Mat LM, during my trip to India in July 2019. I wrote down questions that came to my mind when I viewed the images for the first time. Putting the photos and text together paved the way to create a sense of an endless maze of questions. I used the coffee technique to develop a sense of antiqueness to the pages of the journal to represent the oldness of this immortal caste system. The text was added using a typewriter, as a metaphor of overlaying thoughts of newer generation on to the socially existing barriers that hinder us from being one. I chose to add the opening text at the end to let the reader float them self in the questions and images, to ponder more about the concept of oneness. I made two handmade photo book prototypes, one in Accordion fold design to develop a sense of continuity with the thoughts and another one in traditional book design to give the audience a break from the chain of thoughts, by exploring the theme of oneness. Both the photo books are handmade, and the photos used in the books are laser prints.
I am satisfied with the outcomes; however, I will be experimenting on designs, to choose the best one that communicates the idea in a better way possible to the reader.
I also tried acetone print transfer for the photo books, hoping it would enrich the connection between the images and the stained paper. As the image transfer wasn't as satisfactory as I expected, I didn't use it in the first two prototypes. However, I liked the obscure image outcomes, which I am planning to give it more attempts to see if the final result could be any better.
As I am experimenting with techniques and ideas, I chose to use surreal digital manipulations to highlight the unique factors that make the concept of Muthappan stands out as a sign of oneness. Inspiration for this was from Jishnu Krishnan's digital manipulations. Krishnan's work creates a substitute for the reality around us. He incorporates ideas from daily life to myths, which makes his work stand out from the rest. I found Krishnan's work very engaging due to multiple elements such as the use of colour palette and the limitless imagination of the 'normal' day to day things.
Inspired by Kate Leibrand's works, I used knitting yarn and PVA glue to add an extra layer to one of the digitally manipulated images. I worked with layering repetitive patterns on to the image by creating a base with PVA glue. I am pleased with the outcomes, and I am hoping to experiment with different types of textile materials. As I am planning to produce an installation for the free-range show, I hope to use this technique to enrich the flow of ideas.
At the moment, I am experimenting with book designs, printing techniques and digital manipulations. I am aiming to envisage this further to introduce the idea of Parassinikadavu Muthappan and caste-based discrimination to the viewer, as I believe art can disturb and make people think at the same time.
Having had the opportunity to attend bookmaking workshops last year helped me to develop the skills I needed to make handmade books without many errors this time. For the free-range show, I am planning to create an installation by incorporating moving image and sculptures.
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