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Fluid manifestations of material Forms :
On Jyotee

Shubhalakshmi shukla observes that the noted artist Jyotee who had her recent solo exhibition at the Project 88 Gallery, Kolkata, explores the qualities of timelessness, infinity and the cosmic in her new set of works.

Jyotee’s works are marked by confluences that may appear unusual and magnificent at the same time. To pin point some of these, I refer to her engagement with ‘formal experiments’ where she employs the non-material in conjunction with the material to create forms. These forms have fluidity and lightness that compose a surreal architectonic experience in the enclosed space of the gallery.  

I got to see her recent ‘structures’ at project 88, on a preview of her show with gallery88, in Calcutta. These are made in wood and occupy a definite source which is that of the entrance ‘door space’ of her studio. These constructions with the ‘non material’ lights, however made it appear like a flower pronouncing fluidity of a few geometric edges, whereas the rest dissolve in the open and closed path that the light decides (“ZX”). This observation of a ‘delicate- form’ within the strictly geometric structure seems bit bizarre, might have occurred due to the supple vibrations between the architectural designs fused with the shadowed-forms that light created. It has parallels to relational experience of contemporary architecture and light as observed in the night, which is however in most cases, as experienced in our metropolis is primarily spectacular. Yet these works transcends the ‘spectacle’ to create an experience of infinity.

To describe the structures, these resemble, simultaneously half open and closed doors, unending, merging with the wall space, suggesting a philosophical undertone.                        “ZZ” cites two parallel walls as ethereal, a construct of shadows. The ‘parallel walls’ is a created illusion, while the apparent gap between the two is an unreal one.

In connection to the discussion on her displayed structures I got to her more works that employ light in an attempt to resound the infinite. Jyotee has been observing ‘form’ as a core with inherent potential to destruct limits/boundaries, expanding its ends beneath the earth as well as touching the sky vertically, within a horizontal vastness of similar dimension. One may say she envisages ‘infinite’ as the space to imagine ‘form’. Imagine a cosmic flower that opens its petals gradually or planets that shimmer light as if through half open oyster shells- (see “XIGHT ” )  

For instance, take the symbol of infinity that resembles a simplified drawing of the figure-8. To imagine its three dimensionality one may refer to the structure of moebius-strip. Jyotee does not exactly make this structure, yet her sensibilities of understanding the ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ oneness of any object, structure or form seems to project this infinitely moving, growing form –structure.  The moebius strip in itself is a closed and an open from simultaneously, bypassing the ‘frontal’, ‘lateral’ and ‘backward’ experiences of a ‘solid- three- dimensional-sculptural from’ as distinct from each other. Her identifications of these connected surfaces happen through the presence of air/breath and light.  

For her it becomes important to bypass this superficial identity of a three-dimensional from, where ‘sculpture’ has moved a long distance from pedestal based closed entity to interactive and organic experience. Her ability to connect the spatial and architectonic through the experiences of body brings about a (new) subjectivity that plays on ‘non-matter’ as the experience.  

In my observations she connotes the human body, which appears to be three dimensional and moving, and is inherently construed of warmth, breath and holds capabilities of regeneration with sunlight! In her works these experiences take a symbolic- formal- manifestations of ‘pillars’ of light and breath! She remains preoccupied with light as a source that reverberate energy for her other projects too.

She moves away from the realistic questions of ‘identity’, ‘contexts’ and explores the qualities of timelessness, infinity and the cosmic. It would still be too severe to frame her within the modernist or existentialist longings for the infinite!