Chetnaa
My artistic practice centers on the delicate interplay between the pristine white of paper and the profound black of ink. Through techniques like plotting, dotting, drawing, stitching, foiling, and puncturing, predominantly on paper, I explore the journey of a moving point—sometimes linearly, sometimes converging with others. My quest is to eschew overt emotional expression, instead seeking harmony in the equilibrium of positive and negative space, through manipulation of lines, grids, and color.
In recent years, I've immersed myself in the exploration of the square shape, both within its confines and through its dissolution. This ongoing exploration has yielded a constant evolution, with countless permutations and combinations emerging. From this foundation, I've ventured into the realm of three-dimensional metal sculptures that echo and expand upon my paper-based explorations. Whether through layering techniques or the principles of origami and kirigami, these sculptures remain deeply rooted in the core ethos of my practice, bridging the gap between two-dimensional representation and tangible form.
Through these endeavors, I've abstracted the cityscape into a minimal geometric purity that offers instant visual gratification. My work beckons viewers to contemplate the essence of our urban surroundings, revealing the beauty inherent in both the simplicity of form and the intricate complexities of urban life.
Siri Devi Khandavilli
Shoonya is a concept with varied meanings depending on the context.
In mathematics, it signifies the numeral zero, a critical element in numerical calculations and equations, as a placeholder and the starting point of counting. Shoonya represents emptiness or the void in philosophical and spiritual traditions, often connected with the idea of nothingness or the ultimate reality beyond material existence.
It is perceived as a state of absolute stillness, silence, and transcendence, facilitating a deep connection with the universe. Shoonya extends beyond being merely a numerical or philosophical concept; it symbolizes infinite potential, possibilities, and the interconnectedness of all beings.
In a society inundated with constant images and visuals, this becomes a silent witness, embracing and consuming all that is around it. I previously created a series called Zero Point Field featuring steel mirror inkblots, which, to me, signifies a state of pure potentiality where all possibilities exist before manifestation. This, no-thing, no image of a reflective surface and its limitless potential to transform in the presence of the viewer continues to fascinate me.
Shoonya is the space from which everything arises and to which everything returns. Every work is eternally made here and now.
