Nav Gunjar: The Krishna 'Avatar' On The Facade

By Staff

Tuesday, February 17, 2009, 12:20

Evocative of the harmonious embodiment that is the Krishna avatar- Nav Gunjar, Vishal K. Dar manifests its beseeched beauty and simplicity in his latest installation at the British Council building. Taking place from the 12th of March until the 14th of March, 09, Vishal once again channels his creative niche in a manner that is both innovative and graciously reminiscent.

The main faÇade of the British Council Library is illuminated with a large-scale projection that is synthesized with human presence and interaction. The real time tracking through camera-capture of the visitor creates a parallel projected 'avatar' on the faÇade (screen mounted in the middle aperture). This 'avatar' (silhouette of the person) involves itself with the presently populated field of animals spirits in plenty (rooster, peacock, snake, bull, lion, tiger, elephant, horse).

Therefore, depending on the speed of movement and stillness, the animal spirits move towards the human 'avatar'. If the human 'avatar' movement is erratic, the spirits run away. When a human 'avatar' has 8 different animals attached to it, it becomes the 'nav-gunjar'.

'Nav Gunjar' is an avatar of Krishna. It's a creature composed of 9 different animals, which represents this specter as an inspiration to be in harmony with all living beings. It emphasizes the fact that we are all connected and a form a part of a larger living organism.

When the Pandav brothers went into exile, they were dispirited and concerned about their fate. To help rid them of their worries, Krishna showed them this specter as an inspiration to be optimistic. It is a combination of nine different parts, each one known for a quality such as beauty, grace and power. Krishna explained that we are a culmination of all of these virtues and hence powerful enough to face any obstacles in life.

About the Artist

Vishal K. Dar, the gifted artist culpable for these inimitable creations believes that new materials borne new challenges, new horizons. An architect with an innate artistic niche, he uses digital animation software, prototyping technology and new media to produce archi-sculptures, art installation and architecture. His work fuses the fields of architecture and design, new-media and film/animation. Architect Greg Lynn mentored this MFA graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles; his art explores 'digital ornamentation' as the core theme.

Vishal's name is featured in CGI, a book on computer-generated imagery as the art of the 21st century. The first Indian to be enrolled in the MFA, New Media graduate program at UCLA, he designed and curated Apeejay Media Gallery's first Interactive Art Show. In 2005, he initiated a workshop program at the National School of Drama, which deals with New Media in performance art and theatre. He has visualized art-shows at NGMA (Binod Bihari Mukerjee retrospective), Rabindre Bhavan (Satish Gujral), Gallery Espace (Amitava Das, Somnath Hore, Nagji Patel), and The Stainless. Vishal's unprecedented innovations are lauded the world over for re-incarnating the way art is installed and presented for public viewing. He also designed Delhi's largest 'state-of-the-art' gallery-The Stainless.

He received 'Promising Artist Award 2006- Special Commendations' by India Habitat Centre & 'New performance Art Grant Award' by India Foundation for the Arts in 2006.

Besides having taught at UCLA and lectured at IIT, Vishal has also presented his work at various international venues like Berlinale, Viper Basel, Architecture Biennale, Siggraph to name a few. Presently, he resides and works out of his main studio in New Delhi, India.

What: Installation by Vishal K. Dar

When: 12th March- 14th March 2009, 6:00 p.m. onwards

Where: The British Council, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi