Covid restrictions may have hampered visible protests and group gatherings over the imminent threat to the destruction of Mollem in the face of touted developmental projects. Yet, not losing hope and lending a collaborative voice to the other youth driven campaigns, ‘Amchem Mollem’ and ‘My Mollem’ is Apurva Kulkarni’s interdisciplinary online art exhibition, ‘Mandalas for Mollem’, that brings together Goa’s artists, environmentalists and a poet, as a synergistic expression of hope. The exhibition opens online to the public on August 21st.
‘Mandalas for Mollem’ is a culmination of an intensive online art residency. Says Kulkarni, “As an artist, I felt helpless about this destruction of Goa’s ecology. The fact that Mollem National Park and Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary are among the 36 most biodiversity hotspots in the world, makes it imperative for us all to be involved in voicing our concern over these projects. With elections right round the corner, it is time we make our government accountable.”
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He adds, “The intent was to get environmentalists, naturalists, architects and artists together and put forth our concerns democratically, creatively and gently. We had presentations made by Parag Rangnekar, Madhura Niphadkar-Bhandekar, Tallulah D’silva and Nirmal Kulkarni that helped give artists the right perspective on the issue. All the 31 artists involved in the project are Goa based and this project is independent and not funded by any entity.”
Drawing inspiration from the concept of Mandalas and the symbol of the Circle which is a powerful representation of the eternal cycle of creation and destruction; birth and death, Kulkarni was also influenced by the 17th century Ouroboros symbol that signifies opposites and polarities of Yin and Yang. He stresses, “It is a self-perpetuating cycle and a necessary one. But the planned devastation at Mollem is an unnatural death. It upsets the delicate balance which nature has achieved for herself. So while destruction (death) and its resurrection is part of a natural cycle, what we are doing to the environment is unnatural.”
With paintings, digital art, sculptures, illustrations, installations, animation, videos and performance art all planned as an immersive experience, the exhibition will also showcase a special poem written by Salil Chaturvedi for the show. Miriam Koshy Sukhija, artist and gallerist, will also showcase her unique participatory art through a tableau of a ‘Matreeka’ (Guardian Goddess). Detailing her experience, she shares, “This process has been deeply transformative. Right from arriving upon the found and foraged materials that went into the making of Matreekas, to the installation of the Mandala for the healing of the wounds that our collective psyche has experienced, to the final consecration ritual that brought together the Mandalas, Matreekas and my fellow performers and documenters, has been one of recentering to the core idea that we ARE nature, not apart from it or above it. The shared jeopardy of global warming is not just an economic or political matter but brings to the fore the staggering ‘moral opportunity’ we face as a species to seek a livable transition from anthropocentrism to ecocentrism.”
As an environmentalist on the panel, Parag Rangnekar thoughtfully adds, “We helped give these artists direction to their work. Yet, we ourselves don’t know the complete cumulative impact of three independent projects in one sanctuary. The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) is not complete. How do we even begin assessing the impact?” He then calmly adds, “We humans have selective amnesia. We tend to slip from one issue to the next. These initiatives keep reminding citizens of what’s at stake.”
Rejecting a nihilistic tendency towards this issue, Praveen Naik, one of the many prominent artists whose work ‘A Dream of Maya’ is categorical when he says, “Artists have a strong medium to comment on socio political events. Through my art, I can speak for my land and express my thoughts on saving Mollem. The multi dimensional approach through this residency enriched my perspective and inspired me immensely. Collectively, we need to be hopeful and keep speaking out.”
With Altamiira, completing its first anniversary of offering art education and mentorship programmes in Goa, to artists and students even located globally, ‘Mandalas for Mollem’ is a timely celebration and a timely recalibration of the delicate dance between hope and faith.
(On August 21 at 6.30p.m, there will be a Meet the Artists session)
