In artist Hemali Bhuta’s new installation, candles look like stalactites;
she reveals how her inspiration comes from everyday things.
She’s being touted as one of the most promising young artists in the country. And indeed, Hemali Bhuta’s ideas and ways do seem different. In her upcoming show at the experimental space of
Project 88, Hemali is creating a huge installation with almost 50,000 to 60,000 candles. And she has also interestingly used massive chunks of alum.
As soon as you step down the gallery, the entire space is dark and the centre piece is lit up.
“Although everybody will interpret the space differently, I have tried to create a cave with natural and beautiful stalactites. To enter this space, one has to step down and this gives an impression of entering the layer beneath. And this atmosphere will just add to the experience of ‘stepping down’.”
The show titled Agarlum it is a mix of agarbatti and alum. Hemali says, “I have tried to create a state of suspension, of unease and agitation shaped from juggling the gaining agarbatti and the losing alum. Like most hangovers which occur due to excess of artificial stimulants and lay one in a state of semi-consciousness, this particular hangover is caused by life itself, its experiences, hopes and disappointments.”
She adds, “As said earlier, the work is primarily made of two materials — wax and alum that have very different properties but at the same time are versatile and can be modified in various ways. Alum purifies water while undergoing a change in its own composition while wax can be molded in various ways.”
Ask Hemali what inspires her, and you get an unexpected answer. “I collect everything that I see and what interests me — right from bathroom cleaning brushes to
termite homes and rubber bands, threads and much more. I get my ideas from these material sources and of course, the larger
environment.”
Post the show, Hemali’s eager to go to an art residency in California for two months. “My husband Shreyas and I are both looking
forward to attending it. Whenever one visits a residence one learns a lot and there so many different avenues to think up.”
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