Art installations with the audio element have been popular globally and now they are making an entry in India too. At the ongoing India Art Fair, Karan Bhardwaj finds out how music enhances the experience
Recorded mundane conversations, chirping sound of the birds, traffic noise and some random songs can be added to an art installation to make it more appealing, is hard to believe. But the routine voices are being used by artists from across the globe to add to the experience viewing art and convey some messages. Popularly called as sound art, the concept is now gaining popularity in India too. And this is very much visible at the ongoing India Art Fair.
Walk into the premises at NSIC Grounds and you will see many large-scale sound art pieces by domestic and international artists. listen Up, a unique public sound exhibition, is a head-turner. There are three booths installed in the venue, which allows one to access the audios, produced by over 30 artists. “It is also a mobile phone application, available for free downloads on IOS and Android phones. For desktop, one needs to buy it,” says Rasika Kajaria, who has compiled up the project. There are funny conversations, songs, unique sounds and voices in Kashmiri, Hindi, Urdu and other languages.
Sound art may be at nascent stage in India, it has come a long way internationally. Sound has been an important medium for many artists since 1960s and has its roots in Futurism and the Fluxus movement. Eminent Japanese artist Yoko Ono did her first sound project in 1961. But there is definitely an explosion of sound art around the world ever since sound artist Susan Philipsz bagged the Turner Prize in 2010. “It is now gaining popularity in India because our industry is new. It’s just a few years back that we had our own art fair. Artists are willing to experiment and innovate new media. Public art is picking up in a big way,” says Kajaria.
Experts say there is a huge potential of sound art in India. Says Neha Kirpal, the founder of India Art Fair, “It is pretty much accessible and commercially viable due to its portability. India is rich in sounds but they are taken for granted. We are acknowledging it now and it is engaging. There is an interest among young buyers.”
What makes sound art rather more fascinating is the fact that it can make the audience relax. In Delhi, Khoj’s Residence leads the genre. There are experiments happening every now and then. At art fair, Fragile Works by Asin Waqif is inspired by a demolished building at MG Road and uses electrical peripherals. As one touches it, the installation creates vague sounds, giving an impression of destruction. Sheba Chhachhi’s The Mermaid’s Mirror shows moving images of actress Meena Kumari in 36 TV screens. The drama comes only from the audio which is a mix of Kumari’s dialogues from different movies. “Sound art is all about being in the moment. It is improvisational and never the same. It is also interdisciplinary and multi-dimensional,” says Rudi Punzo, a sound artist from Italy.
No matter how easy it may sound, creating a sound project is not a cakewalk. It is not only tough to collect, sell and distribute but is also expensive. Sources say listen Up tolled the producers between `15-17 lakh. “It took over nine months to compile the project. The mobile application was a maddening task. Getting the approvals from international companies for featuring it in their lists was another challenge,” informs Kajaria.
photos Pankaj Kumar
Green art
Artist Nantu Behari's green installation is one visual treat. There are happy, playful children playing on green grass. The artist has tried to address grave environmental concerns through his work using innocence of a child to make us “think” about their future. “If we don't save our environment now, we won't be able to do it ever,” Das said. “If children ask us how green is their future, we won't have any answers. It is just another attempt to make people think about environment. let's hope they get the message,” he added.
Watch your reflection
Narendra Yadav's experiential installation takes you in a dark room where you can see several reflections in mirror. It's time to think of who you are, what you have done so far and scrutinise your past. The installation questions one's several identities hidden behind one face.