Of notions and emotions, this upcoming solo show at Galleryske by Astha Butail Locus of Being is another glittering show in a series of art shows planned at the gallery this calendar year.
“The main focus of this show is to locate within yourself that point which makes you get into action or inaction, to reveal your own knot of action,” quotes artist Astha Butail. Locus of Being is a meditation on the shared desire to understand the relationship of Earth and non-Earth notions, real or imaginary, mundane and extraordinary, objects that surround us to that which are invisible yet occupy a huge space in our existence. The show features drawing, assemblage, interactive installations, sculpture and performances.
Translating her long-term research on Vedic scriptures, Butail draws on its philosophies to understand the relationship between perceivable material reality and non-material or intangible principles of nature. At the heart of the show is an interactive installation titled Immobile Mobile, consisting of 60 empty frames with circular heads where the artist initiates the idea of play with the viewer.
As the discs descend at varying speeds and times, they create a ticking sound, reminiscent of a metronome, of repetition and rhythm. Butail’s interest further extends to concepts of akasha and its characteristic shabda. It also questions the dynamic between static and moving elements, purusha and prakriti.
In the work, The sun will rise modelled on the havan kund, delicate white lines constructed with paper fill 30 frames, each frame representing a day, each line a minute. Butail’s interest in the evolution of the frame and the oral tradition extends to a new series of threaded work.
She uses the mechanics of musical instruments like the flute, drum and harmonium to speak of functional redundancy. These works cannot be played as instruments as the lack of tension and aural “vacuum” rendered by the work is analogous to a lost dialogue.
Highlighting gaps in communication, they reference cultural loss, unheard or missed points of crossover in everyday relationships. In a particular performance, Sans performance: vow of silence, the artist will be present adjacent to a mirror that continues her meditation on the geometry of the book.
Having taken an oath of silence, Butail aims to refrain from expression in sound, instead answering questions through written text using a glass pencil. Negating utterance, a significant aspect of the oral tradition, the artist undertakes an exercise in observing the mind and internalising the experience of creating.
The reflective mirror glass in turn, points to the locus of construction of the self. This thought-provoking show seems like an ideal way to begin the incredibly wonderful year of contemporary art in the city.
The art show is on from January 13 to February 25 at Galleryske.
The writer is an artcurator and art expert.
