THE B. REIGNS

by SHANTHAMANI M. & MARC THEBAULT

Exploring, analyzing and adapting bamboo as a material for art production, and propagating its use in our lives with a strong scientific and eco-politically correct stance is what makes this exposition vital and relevant. Shanthamani. M and Marc Thebault, taking a cue from the traditional architecture of Karnataka, underline the synonyms of the material - medium and message - that they have chosen through their works. Here, the versatile material bamboo, that has been used for food, for making architecture, furniture and several other things for ages in Asia, is finding its way into art with a sharp conceptual and social edge. Manipulating a material for art means experimenting its potential with all freedom of imagination. The result of such an enquiry slowly permeates into the knowledge system related to that medium. In this case, the strength, pliability, verticality, sustainability, eco-friendliness, the short-term yield of it that enable us in its uninterrupted availability for fuel are being brought to on an intellectual plane and kindle our imagination to make further research and examination on the veracity of the results. Artistically, this collaboration has also helped the artists to bring out diverse dimensions of their visual imagination based on a single material. While the lyrical and linear visual language of Marc contrasts with the robust and organic forms of Shanthamani, our visual experience become more energetic and of deeper involvement.

-M. Ramachandran