Power.

“To power, with love” is the cumulative result of a summation of four weeks of exploration, experimentation, research and learning by sixteen artists, 14 Srishti students, 1 Srishti Faculty and 1 International Artist from Australia. Over 40 people participated in interviews from Bengaluru, Mulki, Delhi and Mumbai. The work focuses on and around the urban and sub-urban environs of Begaluru and oceanic surrounds of Mulki. 

It is an exploration of the titular subject matter of love and power, and the myriad of relationships between those who are possessed of any amount of either, with all the variations, fluctuations and differences in opinion and emotion that they entail. 

It is a study that is shaped by and exists within the greater context of the presence of the ocean, and our historical and contemporary relationship to it, as well as our future  in both physical and conceptual space, and the relationships that exist between us and it, or the lack thereof. One that is informed by knowledge of and a concerted look into both past and future, involving both tribute to those who came before us and hope toward the people we will one day become.

The facilitation framework that led to this outcome involved a series of exercises, workshops, conversations and interventions underpinned by insatiable curiosity, radical empathy and bilateral cultural exchange between India and Australia. Through this framework, a combination of; formal, practice-based, auto-ethnographic, citizen science and dialogue opened the possibility for greater understanding around what the most important political issue for this group to explore was, and how to inform ourselves on this topic. Each exercise connected to story and pedagogical approaches learned from indigenous Australian cultures. This served as mechanism to; provide connection to Indian cultural practice, share an understanding standing of the politics, enquiry, ongoing advocacy work and history of the visiting artist as an individual, as well as the political, cultural and practice connections between Australia and India.

Engaging with politics is a vital and important skill for any artist, as many of our projects rely on the collaboration and support of current governments. Being an artist in this world is indeed a political act. Each choice we make carries meaning, every object, phrase, word, font, movement and image we share carries a message that is politically situated. 

For the past month, we have had the great privilege of exploring and reimagining our world. In doing so, in some ways we were and are transforming our world and our understanding of it. This exhibition is an invitation to you, an offering, to share this experience, to wonder about your own relationship to power, where and how you use it - and what judgements you might make about those with more, as well as those with less. To apply that same empathy across both and in doing so, grow your understanding of your self and the world around you.