Those rooting for public art could possibly draw some solace from it. The city’s inhabitants are witnessing two public art pieces within a gap of 10 days and interestingly both are creations of artist Seema Kohli. While “Chimes of Freedom” was on display this Tuesday at the Sounds of Freedom Concert held at Amity University, Noida, “Cutting Chai” would be on view at the NDMC Palate Mini festival from March 13-15 at Nehru Park in Chanakyapuri. The festival will feature a slew of Delhi-based eateries offering their dishes along with a food market for gourmet products.
For Seema, who has often worked in this realm in her career, it is pure coincidence. “I realised the power of an art work displayed in a public area at the Kala Ghoda festival where I once exhibited 10 feet high nest made of metal wire. People wanted to go inside it touch it and feel it. Only when you experience something would you respond or react to it. It’s okay even it’s a negative reaction. At least, it elicited a response,” feels the artist.
“Chimes of Freedom” has been to events like IFFI in Goa two years ago. It is a 12 feet fixture comprising chimes made of aluminium pipes. Painted over the cylindrical metallic tubes, are people, things and objects that have made a difference to people’s lives without violating anyone’s rights. A softheaded hammer is also kept at the audience’s disposal to strike the tubes with.
For someone like Seema who has moved from one discipline to another — drawings to oils to mixed media to sculptures — entering the world of installations was natural. “I realised that different kinds of work needed different modes of expression and language. As an artist you need to flow like a river,” says Seema.
“Cutting Chai” is a special public art piece by the artist because even though her works have occupied public spaces in the city past, this is her first work for a public institution like NDMC. The tea is the protagonist in her story in which metal servers traditionally called Cheekka used to serve tea in rural areas, have been used. The ‘Cheekka’ holds cutting tea glasses with tea lights in it. The size of the installation can be increased or decreased according to the space allotted. “Chai being the common accomplice to any conversation in all strata holds a very recognizable space. While painting I can hold my conversation intact with my canvas and me. I have used teacups and the idea of tea as a means of introspection, leading to final liberation. It holds an important dialogue between me and my inner, my outer, my social and my spiritual world. Hence, the need for this installation.” Bringing Mumbai’s famous cutting chai into it, Seema further stresses on the aspect of sharing and bonding.
(“Cutting Chai” would be on view at the NDMC Palate Mini festival from March 13-15 at Nehru Park in Chanakyapuri)
