Project Brief-
To explore the situated knowledge (Haraway, 1988), of self, others or an object. And develop an original work in any medium of choice by exploring the project through practice based research.
I designed a narrative based experience through a performative game that invites the audience to interact with itself and facilitates Kōlam to articulate its vitality within the socio-cultural context. Kōlam, an art form performed daily, primarily by the Hindu women in South-Indian households, is made using rice flour and years of practice.
Given Kōlam’s transient yet profound ritualistic quality, I sought a storytelling medium capable of depicting both the intricacies of its formation and the inevitable erasure. My exploration involved utilising visual, interactive, and narrative elements of storytelling that could seamlessly communicate the cultural significance while inviting the audience to engage intimately with itself. Ultimately, the performative game aimed at immersing the audience in the essence of Kōlam’s creation-dissolution.
Rules of the game-
The players are supposed to act according to the instructions mentioned as ‘action’ on their card. And play along. The statements and actions vary, depending on the type of the card drawn. Some cards would ask the players to remove cells from their Kōlam, as Kōlam is a time bound art that is ephemeral. Additionally there are other eternal elements that interact with Kōlam and affect its evolution, like sparrows, ants that feed on the rice powder. However, some cards are different, they talk about cultural implications that affect longevity or existence of Kōlam.
There are some other cards that comment on the material and space constraints that affect Kōlam as well. Some cards also ask the players to make a 'choice' that will affect their Kōlam moving forward.
Audience testing-
I consider this project as an attempt to delve into the tangible aspects of my practice, potentially opening
up an avenue to explore culturally rooted objects, its context, significance, evolution, embedded ‘politics’,
and interconnectedness with its environment.
The performative game attempts to connect traditional customs with contemporary expressions, enabling a more profound comprehension of Kōlam's vitality and discourse around cultural rituals and their influence on identities within the socio-cultural context. It is an attempt to personify Kōlam as a living entity that expresses agency through societal dynamics and connections, transcending its role as a passing art form.
To know more about the research, process & development of the project, refer the document embedded below-
