FOUR WORKS ABOUT RESISTANCE | Gipin Varghese

Today in India, we frequently discuss the conflict between large establishments and indigenous people, and the related issues of land acquisition, mining, water, nuclear energy etc. Policy making is often one-sided and neglects the ecology of the region, farming systems, cultural practices and rituals. In most of the cases people lose faith in the elected government and move towards anti-national gestures. These are the gestures of unsatisfied humans. And the protests are the physical and theatrical development of their traditional environmental knowledge build up from experience and direct observations. I

have been studying them (the protestors) for a long time, and have made plenty of drawings; found some gestures and body languages which represent the spirit of the struggle; and repeated them in my works. The works are connected with particular space and people like anti-nuclear fights - Kudankulam Tamil Nadu, Mithi Virdi; Mining issues - Niyamgiri Hills Orissa, Khandwa - Jal Satyagraha against increase in water level of Indira Sagar Dam...

- Gipin Varghese

The works in this exhibition were produced during his residency at Hochschule Luzern - Design & Kunst, Switzerland, as part of the FICA Emerging Artist Award 2013 residency, presented in collaboration with Pro Helvetia - Swiss Arts Council. The show will preview on 21st November 2013 from 6pm, at the school's Erfrischungsraum and will remain open until 25th November.