Saar, 2022
The artist's installation is a multimedia, immersive exploration of themes of gender, femininity, and gender fluidity through Hinduism and a post-colonial lens. With a combination of sounds, visuals, and aromas, the installation provides a meditative atmosphere, enabling audiences to ponder on the complex and multifaceted nature of gender and sexuality.
The artist challenges conventional gender norms using wall animations by presenting male and female individuals participating in behaviors that contravene societal standards. The installation's fabric pieces depict the relationship of gender and sexuality to spirituality and divinity, reflecting Hindu notions such as Atman and Brahman, as well as the cyclical nature of Karma.
The artist illustrates the Rohini Nakshatra, a feminine constellation connected with the birth of gods, and examines how Hinduism perceives femininity differently from the western world. Through illustrations inspired by the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, the artist highlights the facets that God embodies, suggesting that divinity transcends gender and social norms.
The installation's goal is to engage the senses while also provoking introspection and critical thought regarding gender and sexuality in the context of Hinduism and beyond. The artist urges spectators to think on their own views and perspectives, as well as engage in meaningful dialogues about gender, femininity, gender fluidity, and sexuality, using visual, auditory, and olfactory aspects.
The installation's overarching purpose is to promote inclusion, challenge conventional conceptions, and celebrate the complexities and diversity of human experiences connected to gender and sexuality. The artist urges spectators to participate in this investigation and meditation, as well as to appreciate diversity in all its forms. The artwork is a celebration of inclusion as well as an artistic statement of the artist's research of gender and sexuality in Hinduism and postcolonial contexts.
