NOBINA GUPTA

DISAPPEARING DIALOGUES

Many facets of our life are at the edge of an undeniable crisis, whispering slowly, begging us to take a look at them before they dissolve into nothingness.

What is it that knocks on the doors of extinction? What is it that will never be seen or heard of again? Are we shying away from truth? Are we denying the crisis of their existence?

I guess we are.

Perhaps it is our ignorance that is making us blind. Taking us away from our own future. The looming threat of an existential crisis.

DISAPPEARING DIALOGUES

Time is hastily making a lot of things obsolete, irrelevant and outdated. But, if we care to put a different lens on the things that are of little or no significance in our life today, then we might come across a completely different story.

Disappearing Dialogues is a series of interactions with nature, people and object that are knocking on the doors of extinction.

It is a symbol of hope.

A plea that inspires us to treasure and preserve whatever lies within our reach in a world that’s hastily getting depleted.

We stand at a ‘critical point of inflexion’ where India -and to be more global - environment, life and heritage is under threat. Depleting wetlands, precious flora and fauna, species, shrinking natural resources, collective heritage - all put together, and beyond - are under threat. Lifestyles are impacted.

Change as I gladly accept is a natural phenomenon but the rate at which it is accelerated is making it extremely difficult for us to react, monitor and evaluate it appropriately. It is currently a debatable issue worldwide.

This project aims to learn from the nativity of the environment around us and measure its impact on our lives. Empowering lives to realise the symbiotic relationship that they share with environ and they’re past. Extensively working with people, in different places, specially younger generation igniting young minds. Collaborating with people from indigenous communities, learning from the rich and ancient societal structure which is an excellent antithesis to the modern life where we struggle to cope with our idiopathic environment.

A voice that stimulates a cultural response engages people, blends imagery and knowledge and embraces life with all its intricacies.

What is disappearing is also a repository of memories. Something that takes us backs in time and reminds us of experiences that are etched in our consciousness. They repulse, revolt, anger… yet all said and done, leave a void.

Biodata

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

2004-NET Scholar (UGC) Post Graduate research funded by the Government of India
1995- Master’s of Fine Arts (Kala Bhavan, Visva Bharati, Santineketan)

1993- Bachelor’s of Fine Arts (Kala Bhavan, Visva Bharati, Santineketan)

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2015-‘Disappearing Dialogues’ Solo show at Gallery Sanskriti, Kolkata, INDIA

2014-‘Prana- The Life Within’ Solo show at Jan Kossen Contemporary, Basel, SWITZERLAND

2011- ‘Prana-The Life Within’ Solo show at Galerie Kashya Hildebrand, Zurich, SWITZERLAND

2011-‘Beneath the Surface’ Solo Exhibition at Gallery Sanskriti, Kolkata, INDIA

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2015- 15^th February to 15^th March, ‘Spaces in Transition’ at Studio X, Mumbai, INDIA

2014- 13^th July to 14^th August, Earth Art Project, Puga and Nang, LADAKH supported by Japan Foundation

2014- 31^st Jan to 2^nd Feb India Art Fair, New Delhi, INDIA with Gallery Sanskriti

2013- 31^st Oct to 3^rd Nov Art Fair Cologne, GERMANY with Jan Kossen Contemporary

2012 to 2011 –International Art Fairs with Galerie Kashya Hildebrand, ‘Art 13 London’ at Olympia Grand Hall, LONDON; ‘Art Stages’ SINGAPORE; ‘Art Asia’ MIAMI

2013- ‘Stroke to Chisel’ with ECA, Kolkata, INDIA

2011- ‘India Art Summit 2011’ with Gallery Sanskriti in New Delhi, INDIA

2010 No Content Worries Aakriti Art Gallery, Kolkata, INDIA
Indo-Sweden Cultural Exchange Program, Gothenburg, SWEDEN; India International artists, Jakarta, INDONESIA; Summer show, Centre of International Modern Art, Kolkata, INDIA

2009 Beyond Convention, Anant Art Gallery, Kolkata, INDIA

2008 The Art of Santiniketan- Masters and Emerging Artists-II, at Nehru Centre, LONDON, UK
The Art of Santiniketan- Masters and Emerging Artists-I, at The Royal College of Art, Henry
Moore Gallery, LONDON, UK; 18 Years’ Annual exhibition at Gallery Sanskriti, Kolkata, INDIA
Entourage de color, Birla Academy of Art & Culture, Kolkata, INDIA
2006 & 2007 Gen Next I & Gen-Next II, Aakriti Art Gallery, Kolkata, INDIA
1998 Palash, Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi, INDIA
1995 -1994 Exploration at Centre of International Modern Art, Kolkata, INDIA
Inaugural show, Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Mumbai, INDIA
Birla Annual Exhibition, Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Kolkata, INDIA

CURATORIAL PROJECTS

2015 – Curated an art exposition ‘ Our History, Their Times’ with senior students exploring Calcutta’s history between late 18^th and early 19^th century at South Park Street Cemetery, Kolkata, INDIA

PUBLIC Art PROJECTS & PARTICIPATIONS

2015- ‘ Encounters 2015’ a Public Art Festival organized by Art Oxygen, Mumbai, INDIA

2014- ‘Kalaptaru’ a light & sound outdoor installation at Art Ichol, Maihar, M.P, INDIA

2013- ‘Nagarika’ a workshop on principles of movement in Indian physical traditions with Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts and Goethe-Institute, Kolkata; 'Art Workshop' with the inmates of central correctional home at Birla Academy of Art & Culture, Kolkata

2012 -Rhythm of Waves, Illuminated Wall & Ceiling Installation & ‘Anant’ a wall installation focusing on the spirit of life conceptualized as a spiral creation in etched brass; 'Theatre as a Pedagogic tool' an interactive workshop with eminent Mrs. Moloyshree Hashmi at MACE

2011- ‘Water lily’, Architectural Wall Installation, Bangalore ‘Homage to the people of Japan’ after the Earthquake in the presence of The Consulate General of Japan, Kolkata, Mr. Mitsuo Kawaguchi

2009- Participated in ‘Environmental Leadership’-Hard Rain organized by British Council, Kolkata.

2008- Learnt ‘Japanese Paper making’ under Japanese artist Nobue Nakama at Weavers Studio, Kolkata.

AWARDS

1997-Awarded in ‘68th All India Annual Exhibition’ at I.F.A.C.S, New Delhi

1996- Awarded in ‘Swarnanjali Exhibition’ by World Gold Council, Mumbai.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

· Since 2001 working for Child Welfare organizing & conducting Art workshop projects for children on Life, Environment & Tradition.

· 2001-1995- Art and Design Teacher at Birla Academy of Art and Culture; Lecturer at ‘Apeejay Institute of Art and Design’, New Delhi; Art Teacher at ‘Air Force Bal- Bharati School’, New Delhi

· Since 2005- Art & Design Consultant for IGA studios, addon advertising for special projects & events pertaining to Environmental issues

Prana- The Life Within

The natural energy of the universe, the ‘Prana’ or ‘Chi’, the rhythmic flow of life, freedom of evolution, spontaneity of growth within the vast expanse of organic world gushing with vital energy and emotions has always been my primal mode of inspiration.

However, the drastic changes live processes are undergoing reflect on our very own existence. Somewhere beneath the surface, a gradual imbalance is occurring within life; life processes. The sudden outbursts, the unpredictable behavioral patterns, the unpresumptuous outcomes are rather alarming. As a result of throwing sustainability to the winds – and powered by motives of attaining seemingly endless levels of development, consumption and luxury – massive pollution and mindless exploitation of natural resources is evident, which is causing effects like rampant environmental degradation and fearsome global warming. These are playing havoc and are throwing up questions galore about the ongoing paradigm of development.

How can we ignore these undergoing drastic changes, living in our comfort zones? Our self-centric thought processes which always resonate with a self-centered philosophy like – ‘If I am well, then, all is well’. This centripetal life pattern keeps us caught up in our individualistic, self-serving and selfish life style perhaps oblivious about the possibility of any other state of being. At one point, it becomes extremely difficult to revert this cycle into a centrifugal pattern and open our vision to a greater life and what lies ahead.

Hence, before it is too late we need to feel the endless forces of this universe synchronizing with our own inner selves. Understanding the interdependent bonding of individual existence and the existence of life as a whole, we need to perceive life with all our senses; we need to feel it with our inner souls. We need to connect with our environment, in all senses of the term. Only by realizing and empathizing with our surrounding environment, we can attempt to maintain a balance and retain the natural flow of life ‘Prana’.

Being philosophically prone, and being a part of this turmoil, I feel the need to redefine and reinterpret life. I desire to understand, communicate and project the transformations gradually occurring in our own bodies, in the life processes of microbes and organisms in our environment and for that matter within the whole ecosystem. I wish to sensitize my viewers on their own evolving lives and send a notion that ‘WE NEED TO WAKE UP’ and see life from a different angle, at difficult times.

If you relate to my urge that goes beyond the din of debates, if you relate to the unanswered question emanating from the bosom of silence-‘are we wrecking the vital processes of life on this earth?’ – Then this is the time to become aware of the real value of life and take a proactive, pro-life stance. There is still opportunity to re-establish the missing link that completes the full circle.

Nobina Gupta

A PUBLIC ART PROJECT

DISAPPEARING DIALOGUES

PUBLIC ART ACTIVITY HANDOUTS-INTERNATIONAL KOLKATA BOOK FAIR 2016

Dd Public Activity- Walk on the canvas in International Kolkata Book fair 2016

Dd Light & Shadow Performative Installation in ICHOL 2016 with indigenous community

DD LIGHT & SHADOW PERFORMATIVE INSTALLATION IN ICHOL 2016 IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL CHILDREN

Dd Environmental light Performative Installation, LADAKH 2014

Project presentation DISAPPEARING DIALOGUES 2016 at FICA

Kalpataru- The wishing tree, 2014

Dd-' Era of Elements' Illuminated Installation inAluminium, Viner, Acrylic, 2015

SOLO SHOW 2014

Disappearing Dialogues research residency in M.P at Art Ichol

INTERNATIONAL ART FAIRS

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CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR A COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH RESIDENCY AT ART ICHOL

'Whispering Tracks' Pen & Ink drawing on Archival Print / 36'' x 24''

'Echoes from the Mountains III' - Ink on Paper / 35'' x 96''

'Echoes from the Mountains II' - Ink on Paper / 20'' x 96''

'Echoes from the mountains IV' Ink on Paper / 31'' x 48''

'Echoes from the Mountains I' - Pen & Ink on Paper / 30'' x 21''

'Disappearing Dialogues IX' - Pen & Ink on Paper / 6.5'' x 6.5''

'Disappearing Dialogues VIII' - Pen & Ink on Paper 9'' x 12''

Disappearing Dialogues VII / Pen and Ink on Paper / 15'' x 12''

Disappearing Dialogues VI / Pen and Ink on paper / 9.5'' x 8.5''

Disappearing Dialogues V - Pen and Ink on Paper / 15'' x13.5''

Disappearing Dialogues IV / Pen & Ink on Archival Print / 30'' x 22''

Disappearing Dialogues III / Pen & Ink on Archival Print / 30'' x 22''

Disappearing Dialogues II / Pen & Ink on Archival Print / 30'' x 22''

Disappearing Dialogue I / Pen & Ink on Archival paper / 30'' X 22''

Ink on Alluminium composite panel / 2012

Anant series / Ink on Archival print and Paper/ 2012