In conversation with spaces
Siddhartha Tawadey seeks realism. And in his quest he has stumbled upon not just new places but places between the spaces. ‘Geography of Solitude: In between spaces’ is a multimedia show combining photographic diptychs, found footage experimental films and appropriated image installations; presenting an alternative interpretation of urban society in London.
“These spaces have no names; these places are the in-between spaces,” says Siddharth. He continues, “The exhibition is based on personal encounters as a resident in London where solitude frequently played a catalyst; initiating an intimate dialogue with the city that grows more familiar during the course of the conversation, and yet it will never be the same, never be known; it will perpetually surprise, confuse and provoke.” The photographs are divided into two parts. One represents the London that he had seen when he first went there in 1993. And the second part tries to capture what the city stands for today — in his words, commerce oriented and trying to emerge from recession. The images depict societal concerns that take precedence over classical aesthetics, says Siddhartha, who insists that the best way to discover a city is to walk through its most obscure lanes.
Siddhartha likes to experiment with his work and is also involved in filmmaking and a short film Empty Life, which explores the inequities between developed countries and India, is part of this exhibition.
“The truth is always on the surface; we manipulate it by apathy and rationalisation. This surface is what is explored in the Empty life through symbols or metaphors that reflect politics of food, poverty, gender, ethics, illiteracy and Identity,” he says. Siddhartha tries to manifest his ideas through his work and likes to experiment with different mediums like photogram. Once, curious to see how nature would treat a photograph, Siddhartha had buried a few pictures in Delhi. “When I went back, I found that they had become a part of nature,” says Siddhartha. Born in Kolkata, he likes to divide his time between London and Delhi. “My next project is most likely to be on Delhi and the way it has changed in last few years,” signs off Siddhartha.
The show will be on till January 4, 2013 at Queen’s Gallery, British Council.
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