The artist as storyteller takes the audience on a journey tapping into an emotional memory or truth - both literally and metaphorically. An immersive experience is transformative in its nature- a conduit to take you by the hand into a new vision created by the artist in an intimate spatial environment through visual and tactile delights. This exhibition allows the audience to experience ceramic art that is rooted in concepts of history, politics, nature, environmental concerns, and community with ceramic works that span a range of topics, from architecture to social justice, the body, the domestic, the political and the organic, in order to reclaim the centrality of ceramics as a medium in the world of art. Immersive Infinities, curated by Kristine Michael, is a group show exhibiting new ceramics by six contemporary ceramic artists, Vinod Daroz, Thomas Louis, Rakhee Kane, Shirley Bhatnagar, Shweta Mansingka and Partha Dasgupta. The exhibition would be on display at Art Alive Gallery, till the 5th Janauary. 

Vinod Daroz

Vinod Daroz’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in the exploration of powerful symbols that represent oneness, regeneration, and the union of male and female energies. He uses the ceramic medium to create abstract and stylized forms of motifs like eggs, pupae, butterflies, flowers/buds, shells, and seeds. Drawing inspiration from ancient Indian temples with their sensual and evocative sculptures, he incorporates stone-like textures and solidity in his stoneware pieces, symbolizing the enduring nature of desire and the passage of time. In contrast, his porcelain works capture the delicate and translucent qualities of the material, exploring the fine lines between explicitness and subtlety. Vinod Daroz’s installation is a testament to the integration of creative processes and philosophical foundations. They encapsulate the timeless wisdom of art masters through the medium of ceramic gold bars. These golden relics, cradled in the human hand, represent the weight and significance of profound insights shared by visionary artists throughout history. These glistening bars invite viewers to connect with the essence of each artist's journey, gaining a deeper understanding of their passion and dedication that defined their lives.

Thomas Louis

Thomas Louis's perspective underscores the interplay between vulnerability, resilience, and our relationship with the environment. It encourages a shift towards more nurturing, inclusive, and community-oriented approaches to build resilience and address the challenges of the modern world. His art is a powerful reflection of these ideas, aiming to evoke a sense of responsibility and care for the natural world. Thomas Louis draws inspiration from nature, where each species has its own “Guardian Spirit”, working in harmony with the environment for the evolution of their kind. This harmony in nature results in a strong and interconnected web of life. However, in the current times, he highlights the chaos and decay in various aspects of society, such as social, political, economic, health, and education systems, as symptoms of a larger problem. These failures to protect and nurture have led to the rot within the system. In response, he suggests that this decay can serve as the nourishment, like manure, for the growth of new systems that prioritize the well-being of everyone.

Raakhee Kane

To Rakhee Kane, a space is not just an empty container but a living entity. It embodies both emptiness and form, exudes life and contentment, and flows effortlessly like a living being. "Objects of Me" is an immersive experience created on her personal journey through life, an expression of art that reflects herself. She delves into the profound connection between the objects that fill and enliven a space and the essence of self. A room filled with objects is akin to fragments of her own being—collections of experiences, moments, feelings, emotions, and instances. Within this space, she explores the impermanence of relationships, mirroring the natural cycles of life. Each form within this space holds significance—the four corners of the room symbolize the four principles of life: Dharma, Kama, Artha, and Moksha, which define the boundaries of life's cyclical existence. The circle of life is represented by natural forms like seed pods, embodying the complexity, diversity, and infinity of existence. The "Saptapadi," the seven steps one takes with their beloved, mirrors the story of Savitri who triumphs over the god of death, symbolizing the fusion of life, bonding, permanence, and impermanence.

Shirley Bhatnagar

Shirley Bhatnagar's art is a fascinating blend of ancient pottery traditions and contemporary sensibilities. Her work ‘Not Exactly Human’ becomes a vessel for storytelling, human-animal interplay, and the creation of a unique, otherworldly experience in a world dominated by mass- produced and impersonal materials. Her work references Anthropomorphism (attributing human characteristics to non-human objects) and Zoomorphism (attributing animal characteristics to objects) in a modern context, offering a fresh perspective on these age-old practices. Bhatnagar's work serves as a bridge between this ancient tradition and our hyper-globalized, throwaway culture. In a world filled with materials that often lack identity or emotional connection, her art takes on the role of personifying objects and creating companionship. To enhance the experiential and otherworldly quality of her work, she employs animation, drawings, text, and photography. By overlapping and overlaying these elements, she crafts new narratives that often incorporate humour and other storytelling tropes.

Shweta Mansingka

Shweta Mansingka’s art is a response to philosophical ideas and ideologies that encourage introspection, urging us to delve deeper into the multi-layered landscape of life and existence. She draws inspiration from the Advaita philosophy which attributes the potential and completeness of infinite creation to each atom. "Locked Vulnerabilities" is a contemplative ceramic wall installation that delves into the human experience of vulnerability. It peels back the layers of human emotion to expose the intricate depths of our inner worlds. These locks and keys symbolize the way individuals often conceal their vulnerabilities, hidden from the world, yet they also hold the potential for liberation. This piece serves as a metaphor for the alchemy of transformation, where the fires of self-discovery purify and mark the human spirit “Circle with Many Centers and No Circumference” challenges conventional notions of structure and form. Inspired by Pascal's concept of an "infinite sphere, the centre of which is everywhere, the circumference nowhere," this series invites viewers to contemplate the enigmatic nature of existence, where boundaries blur, and the centre exists everywhere and nowhere simultaneously.

Partha Dasgupta

Partha Dasgupta’s ‘Taste Of Earth’ seems to echo the natural forces that have shaped the earth over millennia, and his artistic exploration mirrors the ongoing transformation and evolution of the natural world. Dasgupta’s art is not just a visual experience but also a sensory and philosophical journey, capturing the very essence of the earth's elements and energies. His evolution from working with definite shapes to embracing the natural movements of forms reflects a profound understanding of the medium and a willingness to explore its limitless possibilities. The incorporation of clays from Santiniketan, rich in iron, further connects his work to the earth, emphasizing the primal and ancient aspects of his art. His description of this process as "tasting the earth" is both poetic and evocative, highlighting the raw, elemental nature of his craft as well as beautifully capturing the essence of his artistic journey and his deep connection with ceramics.