Lavanya Mani's Kalamkari Cautionary Tale at Chemould Prescott Road
Lavanya Mani's exhibition, titled 'Signs Taken for Wonders,' is currently on display at Chemould Prescott Road in Mumbai, running from March 14 through April 30, 2019. The exhibit utilizes the ancient Indian kalamkari technique, incorporating organic materials such as cow dung, buffalo milk, jaggery, and natural dyes to address environmental issues. Featured in ArtReview's Summer 2019 edition, the show engages with Donna Haraway's concept of the 'Chthulucene' against the backdrop of the Anthropocene. One notable installation includes a circular fabric pool and an A-frame tent named 'The Ark,' which creatively ties together themes from biblical narratives and Mughal art.
Key facts
- Lavanya Mani's exhibition 'Signs Taken for Wonders' was held at Chemould Prescott Road, Mumbai.
- The exhibition ran from 14 March to 30 April 2019.
- Mani adapts the traditional kalamkari technique, which involves over 20 steps including soaking cotton in cow dung and buffalo milk.
- The show references philosopher Donna Haraway's concept of the 'Chthulucene'.
- A central work is 'The Ark: Animals of the world complain to the Raven (after Miskin)', referencing the biblical flood and Mughal painter Miskin.
- A video shows indigo reacting with dyes from dates, turnips, sweet potato, madder, and henna.
- The exhibition includes eight large-scale works featuring insects, fungi, and no human figures.
- Works like 'Herbarium 1 (From the Medicine Mountain)' depict a volcano with a lush interior jungle.
Entities
Artists
- Lavanya Mani
- John Betjeman
- Miskin
- Donna Haraway
Institutions
- Chemould Prescott Road
- ArtReview
Locations
- Mumbai
- India
- West Midlands