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Re-live
A decade long hiatus in his creative life has not killed the artistic imaginations of the Trivandrum based sculptor Prasannakumar. The recently concluded solo show, Re-Live in Kochi proves that. Smitha Namboothiri visits the artist and his new works.
When you enter the gallery, you will get the feeling that you have entered into a predator sanctuary. This feeling itself is what S. Prasannakumar tries to convey through 'Re-live', the recently concluded show at Durbar Hall Art Gallery, Kochi. It was a unique combination of fibreglass, bronze, copper and brass, along with four drawings. The animal like figures, crocodile, tiger, elephant, and others project from the wall like structures. All the works in the show have a wall like structure forming the base for the reliefs.
Artist Prasannakumar says he has presented the works in a most generalised manner. Talking about the use of figures of animals, he said, "Through the forms, I have tried to express the concept of 'predator and the prey'". The artist tries to juxtapose his works to the age-old concept of the predator and the prey that can be applied in the modern society and current world order. According to the artist, a pressure like mechanism exists in the world, which is demonstrated through victimised people. "This pressure or predator is being expressed only through victims", feels the artists. Re-live clearly expresses both the pressure and how it is being applied on victims.
Though the artists asserts that he has presented the works in a most benign and friendly way, the embedded forms signify contrast and tension. "I have tried to present the works in a most simple and friendly manner", says the artist. This calm and composed artist prefers to let his works do all the talkings. That is why Prasannakumar has tried to portray the figures in a very minimalist form and has not gone into the details and even has not given titles for the works. But, even without the support of any literature, the works speak of the concept that he tries to pass on. "I am not proposing anything, but juxtaposing certain concepts", reveals the artist.
Though not gone into detail, his works are so vivid and carry such energy that onlookers can undoubtedly read them 'loud and clear'. According to him, sculpting has vast visual possibilities. "I just want to convey the concept through a visual language. And I believe sculpture is the most suitable medium to convey this idea". Preferring themes that deviate from the monolithic language of art, Prasannakumar says that he wants to travel through the less explored tracks.
For an onlooker, the works in Re-Live his works have several layers of dimensions. One of the works features an elephant and shows influence of a mythical story of an elephant in Mahabalipuram. The kitsch ornate bronze relief represents a large brain like that of a human, contradicting the belief that elephant have small brains.
Talking on his style of working, Prasannakumar said, "When I start working on certain ideas it seems to be interesting and I will work on that concept. Later contemplating on all aspects of the concept, a well thought out style would be evolved", he said.
"Each work is a challenge. It demands structuring, developing and ejecting. And for the completion of an art work, it needs some kind of an emotional interaction and cohabitation. This close inhabitation between the artist and the work is vital as far its completion and perfection is concerned", is what Prasannakumar feels.
He wants to be different, but being different is not a deliberate attempt from his part. "Nobody wants to travel through the preset paths and wants to repeat the same styles. But somehow somebody influences us", says the artist. But, I am trying to create a different visual language in my own way of doing. And I can have my own way of experimenting, adds Prasannakumar.
On varied styles in the art world, he remarks, "There are different ways to do a work and all ways are important and correct. What is important is, be honest on what we do.
On naming the art works, he said, "Sometimes, titling can have a deep impact, but again there are works that can't be titled through words," is what Prasannakumar feels; pointing out that a sensible onlooker can identify several layers in an art work. Titling a work can be used as a reference point and it acts like a window to the many-faceted concept of an art work, remarks the artist.
After finishing his MFA from Delhi University in 1992 he exhibited his work in the Art and Heritage gallery, Delhi, in a collective show about a decade ago. Subsequently, he took up teaching in the Thiruvananthpuram College of Fine Arts, resulting in very little creative output, since teaching took up a good deal of his time. However, last November he started on this collection and finished it in a span of 10 months. This is his first solo show in Kerala.
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