In memory of...

Experiences and memories are not fragile. Glimpses of the past are relevant through objects and emotions; anything ranging from pages of an old book, pictures preserved in a family album, or even a scent that can bring to mind a number of moments spent with someone. Adhering to this theme of memories and the ephemeral nature of experiences, Tarq Art Gallery, Colaba, has displayed an exhibition titled Memento Mori. This group exhibition has emerged from the respective pre-occupations of ten featured artists from across India.
We spoke to Hena Kapadia, Peddar Road resident and gallery owner, asking her how she came up with the concept. She says, "I wanted to collate an exhibition with artists who I've worked with before and will work with in the future. The idea was to come up with something that would be a reminder of our own mortality. Most of the artwork displayed here roughly represent the transient nature of both memories and experiences."
We started viewing the installations from the first floor of the gallery, only to begin with the works of Tanmoy Samanta, a set of three paintings of curiosity cabinets that highlight how we preserve memories in separate boxes. The next was by artist Payal Kapadia, an FTII student concerned with nature, who directed a short video on the ecological devastation in the Western Ghats. Samit Das who works with photography and interactive artwork, layered images of buildings (all taken between Kolkata and Delhi) one over the other. This thought marks the idea of architectural loss, and also looks at development and progress at the same time.
The installation we found best was that by Katsushi Goto and Vishwa Shroff. They made a room out of paper using acrylic, and installed it on an aluminium base. The work portrays a room that was occupied by Vishwa's mother when in illness. This mixed-media installation is not just hand-drawn and water-coloured but also hand-cut. The installation has been made into books, which are limited edition and cost Rs. 50,000 each.  
Another thought-provoking piece is a triptych by artist Soghra Khurasani, which include woodcut, etching and serigraphy techniques. The displays that were made out of wood-cut prints on paper portray volcanic eruptions, and depict the frustration of people and the need to let go.