Curator Anuradha Nalapat, shares her first-hand experience with the multi- disciplinary show.
In December 2024, Kochi became the epicentre of a thought-provoking exploration into the paradox of human existence, blending art, poetry and performance. In a ground-breaking exhibition titled, Presence of Absence in Man – The Elephant in the Room, the show featured over 60 artists, invited reflection on the spaces between what is present and what is absent in our lives—both on an individual and collective level. Through vibrant works of art, immersive installations and profound poetry, this exhibition sought to inspire new perspectives on the emotional, spiritual and social gaps that define the human experience while also supporting the cause of animal rights through a collaboration with WEFAA.
The exhibition served as a call to realign with nature, creativity and our shared humanity in an increasingly fragmented world. The show was curated by me and Anoop Kamath. The title emerged from a poem that was penned earlier by me called Presence of Absence.
Subsequently, the controversial word man was added. It aimed to focus on the Absences and Presences mankind deals with. The feeling of discontent, the presence of a joyless disconnected apprentice, his twin. Contrary to the general view there was no controversy involved.
The idea of walking the tightrope of Presence and Absence, realigning with nature, evoking creative spirits and reclaiming insight were key to the show. Much used and misused words like love and compassion took center stage. The fresh richness of ordinary tales in words, line and colour enveloped the gallery walls. Science, art, music and philosophy came together and added to the uniqueness of this organic endeavor called Presence of Absence in man – The Elephant in the room. The shows approach was inclusive— beyond religion, politics or age. It aimed to extend its impact beyond confined spaces, to create a cultural shift, inspiring a deeper engagement with the gaps and absences in human nature. In a world that needs it now more than ever, it sought to become a meaningful and enduring pursuit.
Evocative and distinguished writers and poets like C Radhakrishnan, Rafeeq Ahmed and Anwar Ali from Kerala led the way for thirty other poets including Rugmani Prabhakar, Manju Pillai, Prashanth Shankaran, Avrina Joslin, Rema Pisharody and Swati Pal. A very special mention for the game changers, the awe-inspiring writers from the autistic spectrum like the 32- year-old Vikram Kumar, Sherin Mary and Neerada Saseendran.
AT Durgadas created a musical instrument cum painting called ‘Time Travel’ inspired by his dream where he travelled through time and into the world of Leonardo Da Vinci. The goddess of Time takes him on a journey where he sees Da Vinci playing his lute surrounded by enticing botanical specimen. Vivek Vilasini, a renowned, international multimedia artist and photographer exhibited ‘Gold of a thousand dawns’ a photograph taken from Merak village where a man stood tiny against the starry milky ways, ambitiously drawing circles with light. He creates art that is witty, spells irony and engages the intersections of identity, culture and societal change.
Pushkin EH a multidisciplinary artist and educator awes us with some of the finest, yet simple and in depth poetry, traversing the human predicament. One can see only the sacred spaces he has directed us to through his insightful writing and paintings. ‘A bird flying means every consciousness is being updated’ and ‘Love, the most misspelled word of all times’ were his art works.
Enas M J has been literally using sculpture to ride a debilitating disease called Parkinson for the past thirty 60 years. His exhibit Sinking and Rising says it all. Made of thousands of used medicine foils are two large wings that keep lifting him, freeing him into the skies and an anchor that keeps sinking him. One can only imagine the herculean task that he encounters on a daily basis. Walking the tight rope of Presences and Absences and spilling forth as creative joys.
My work Airavata purposely not painted in white, prods one to explore the symbolic significance of the four tusks and seven trunks of the mythical elephant. The other abstract work is titled Presence of Absence in man. For me paintings rarely manifest from a subject matter. The content of my works are my spontaneous, momentary and living life energy which could last perhaps a few paintings. That particular life energy that demands expression is exhausted by then and I don’t see the need to paint after that, not until…and titles usually fall into place at a later stage, like a useful tail for the body.
Passionate sculptor Alex Chandy seemed tiny floating through his massive studio space in Aluva, through his towering sculptures in terracotta and stone. His agonized harvester made of coir, the livelihood of people in Kuttanad stood tall at Durbar hall embodying the trials they face due to environmental degradation. Alex also taught and inspired visually impaired children to create little figurines and ‘Kiliyana’ the elephant bird carrying poetry in braille on its back.
Manoj Vyloor educator and visual artist engaged with St Teresa’s college students on the three fold lives we live. That of Presence, Absence and the cross roads we navigate. Especially the impact of social media. The identity crisis. AI entering the art scene. Of special mention are Nandana, Gouri S and Aamina Najeeb. Columnist and author Rammohan Paliyath held sway over the audience with his wit and his impromptu poetry recital.
Mayukha M a literature graduate deserves a big salute for her poster with interviews of students on the subject of Presence of Absence in man. She brings to our notice the misinformation and fake news that plays on emotions and manipulates us. She quotes Yuval Noah, ‘Unfortunately, history gives no discounts. If the future of humanity is decided in your absence, because you are busy feeding and clothing your kids, you and they will not be exempt from consequence.’
Neurodivergent beats rocked a lazy evening with a humdrum session by Dr Lincoln, a surgeon turned musician. The silent Vikram Kumar broke through his autistic challenges. His poetry shone like a guiding lamp for those who wished to taste subtler spaces. Inspired and supported by artist Priti Vadakkath, Neerada and Sherin Mary walked the tight rope of Presences and Absences.
An enthralling collaborative performance by Lokadharmi theatre artists- Shobha Menon, Sreedeep and Sarath PS, Najeeb Abu, Chandradasan and Salim Nair called ‘Whispers of the Past’ explored the presence and absences of certain memories which create a feeling of disconnect and a void within one’s self.
There were engagements and workshops with students from various colleges that I conducted months before the show started. Other well-known personalities who came forward to engage were Dr T V Sajeev chief scientist KFRI, P Sudhakaran, author and art critic, Manju Pillai, poet and writer. There were performances by visual artist and chairperson of Lalith Kala Akademi, Murali Cheeroth and M R Vishnuprasad, visual artist and poet.
This show aims at constructing an inclusive cultural loop where true creative spaces are valued, celebrated and a New Man is born again. The author, Anuradha Nalapat, is a multidisciplinary visual artist and poet based in Bangalore.
