The first of its kind show, ‘Many in body—one in mind’ combines video installation, art installation and photography to decode the different goals that individuals pursue
What do you get when you bring together an art gallery owner, a computer science researcher (with years spent in Silicon valley) and an anthropology student from Berkeley? A cracking body of work. At least that’s what ‘Many in body—One in mind’ promises to be. Starting on June 6 and going up to June 18 at the Priyasri art gallery, this show is indeed a unique collaboration between gallerist Priyasri Patodia, researcher Srinivas Mangipudi and his anthropologist wife Enith Perez (of Peru origin).
Priyasri hitherto was only known as a gallerist. “Honestly, I was nursing the ambition of coming up with a video installation for quite some time. So when I came across Srinivas’ ideas I decided to add mine to them,” says Priyasri, adding that the show has been divided into three parts comprising the Story of the Flute (video installation), Ants (installation) and Human at last (photography).
The video installation is about a broken flute that is compared to a failed individual. The flute is shown as floating in the watersand then getting reincarnated as a human being. This is followed by footage where random people talk about all that they seek and the purpose of their lives. “In a matter of hours, the three of us had spoken to a total of 30 people—-including maids, daily wage labourers, taxi drivers and a gay couple—of whom we have included at least 20 in the video. It was a liberating experience,” explains Priyasri.
Moreover, the same people’s images have been repeated in the huge installation called Ants. Then, of course, is the photo series which is the result of a trigger happy Enith’s efforts. She says, “When I was studying anthropology, I was required to take pictures for my projects. I realised how much I loved photography then.”
So when she met her Indian origin husband Srinivas—who has drawing, music and films as his hobbies —she was only too happy to be involved.
For every day of the show, visitors will be asked to write all that they seek on a paper and put that in a bowl; and on their way out, they will be asked to draw a chit from the same bowl. “The plan is to give each visitor a peek into what life holds for others,” Priyasri emphasises.
As Srinivas puts it, “We were humbled by all that the people had to say when we shot for the video. Many didn’t even have a goal to talk about; all they cared about was their next meal. So yes, it did feel silly at times to ask them what they wanted most in life,” he signs off.
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