“What have I walked into!” exclaimed Visitor X as he surveyed a bunch of people engrossed in discussion, a girl creating her self-portrait and a few others happily dancing to Michael Jackson’s scratched cd. The girl put her camera down, smiled at him and matter-of-factly said “Oh… we’re having this… yes, this exhibition” she indicated with a sweeping gesture. “It’s called ‘Illuminate’”, she helpfully added. “Oh… oh wow, can I look around? Is it too late?” he asked, looking charmed. “Sure” she said as she took the camera up again. “Come” he said to his friend as they eagerly walked through the UV light into an installation of gigantic proportions….
Oh wait! Did we just get ahead of ourselves? Of this story? We’ll just begin at the beginning (though we don’t promise to stop!)
'Illuminate', as The Art Menagerie's (TAM) first interactive exhibition, explored the intriguing concept of identity. ‘Who am I?’ formed the central theme. Visitors to the 'Illuminate' exhibition were stunned to know it was our first exhibition, correction- first interactive exhibition. They were graciously taken around by the Menagerines- resplendent in their artistic personas. It was an evening that happily extended past the witching hour thanks to intrigued passer-bys, art junkies and supportive family members (of the Menagerines).
'Illuminate', as The Art Menagerie's (TAM) first interactive exhibition, explored the intriguing concept of identity. ‘Who am I?’ formed the central theme. Visitors to the 'Illuminate' exhibition were stunned to know it was our first exhibition, correction- first interactive exhibition. They were graciously taken around by the Menagerines- resplendent in their artistic personas. It was an evening that happily extended past the witching hour thanks to intrigued passer-bys, art junkies and supportive family members (of the Menagerines).
“So… what is this? Who are you?” demanded Visitor X after a leisurely stroll around the venue. The girl was arranging her artwork now. She looked at him amusedly and said “Uhmm… this is an exhibition called ‘Illuminate’. We’ve all been working on our pieces for the last months, minimum.
The theme is ‘Who are you?’ As for me… well, I’m… me…I’m (indicating her work) this… but just today. Who are you?”
“I… “ he began with a flourish, “am not as cool as you all but would like to be a part of it. How did this all happen? Did you all just walk out of somewhere and decide to do this?”
Our theme was conceived in collaborative brainstorming sessions after the very successful ‘White Nights’. We wanted to know our Menagerines through their self-perception and use light as a transformative medium. A wide variety of media ranging from perspex to rice paper, horticultural cloth, leather, string, found objects such as umbrella, paper lanterns and bags to industrial materials like resin, ceramic, plywood were used. Lighting techniques, as well, ranged from battery powered LEDs, UV Lights, Projections, Electric lighting utilizing tungsten and energy saving as well as candles!
Visitor X took a deep breath and said “Wow. That would have been a lot of hard work. It all sounds pretty technical and intense to me. I could never do it.” The girl stood up straight, looked him in the eye and said “There is no place for the word ‘impossible’ in the Menagiverse! You just need a vision and all of us will work together to make it happen.
(To be continued)