Jutescape
With this project I kick started my relationship with Jute as a material! The intent was to get to know the material well enough to be able to manipulate it in multiple ways. Our installation is the outcome of a weeklong material manipulation with jute sacks and virgin jute fabric. It is an interactive space which can make you feel like in a jute jungle! We came up with multiple techniques to treat the material to create different textures (for example, bark of a tree) and forms (for example, vines hanging down from the tree) which were used to give a more authentice vibe to the space. We created stepping stones that were to be placed in water by simply filling up the jute sacks with sand, etc.
Concept: We have based our installation on an ancient Chinese tale:
'Monkeys save the Moon'
In long-past times there lived a band of monkeys in a forest. As they rambled about, they saw the reflection of the moon in a well. Seeing this, the leader of the band said, “O friends, the moon has fallen into the well. The world is now without a moon. Ought not we draw it out?” The monkeys replied, “Yes, we will draw it out!”
The monkeys began to discuss as to how they were to draw it out. Some of them said, “Do not you know? The monkeys must form a chain to reach the moon.” So, they formed a chain holding onto each other’s tail. When they were all hanging in this manner, the branch began to bend a good deal. The water became troubled, reflection of the moon disappeared. The branch broke, and all the monkeys fell into the well.
From the well they saw the moon glistening in the sky and felt that they were able to save it! They congratulated each other but then came to realise that they had to get out of there.
Site
Scaled down model
Process images
On completion
Audience interaction
Installation at night with fireflies!
Poster
