Let me take you on a trip to my first-ever art showcase experience- Sudarshan Shetty's ‘One Life Many’ presented by GALLERYSKE. It was a mind-bending tryst with art that left me questioning reality, laughing at the absurd, and scratching my head in delightful confusion.
It’ll be safe to say that I’m a bit of an art newbie. While I’ve done my share of research and deep dive into the lives and works of Vincent Van Gogh, M. F. Hussain, and many more, my rendezvous with art showcases or exhibits has been negligible. So when I got the chance to encounter the enigmatic world of Sudarshan Shetty’s latest works of art, I was elated at the idea!
So there I was, walking through a room of sculptural compositions of varied kinds, trying to decode and understand what Shetty was trying to say. Picture this: a room filled with telephones, typewriters, projectors, and teacups in complete museum-style vitrines. In a similar style, two identical showcases of a carpet nailed down in vitrines lie at the entrance- the lights of each would go on alternatively. And then there was a room of assemblages- all magnificent- leaving you mesmerized by the craftsmanship of each object and yet leaving you with many thoughts, questions, and curiosities. Be it the beautifully carved set of curtains made of wood- with serpents climbing down them or the set of upside-down-looking chandeliers from three trunks and a wooden blazer on the floor- Shetty makes you think with each piece he showcases.
At the heart of the showcase was Sudarshan Shetty's eponymous film, a contemporary spin on a myth about a sage transforming into a woman, wife, and mother before returning. But wait, this isn’t your typical storytelling. It's an exploration of the contemporary world's chaotic awakening after a period of isolation. I felt like I was on a rollercoaster of thought-provoking narratives that made me question everything.
What truly struck me was how this exhibit blurred the lines between cinema, theatre, and museum, as well as the strong theme of mirror imaging in most of his works. Now to mention, how each work of art- be it the film or the sculptural masterpieces could mean totally different things to each viewer. The set of typewrites, for instance, could be a trip down memory lane for one and a source of woodwork inspiration for another. The best part about Shetty’s work is that he doesn’t necessarily tell you what each piece is- it’s for you to decode and make your own. Now isn’t that, the best part about art?
Leaving the exhibit, I felt like I’d just completed a mental marathon, in the best way possible. It was a playful, mind-boggling adventure that made me question reality and, dare I say, appreciate the art of the unexpected. Sudarshan Shetty’s "One Life Many" wasn’t just an art showcase; it was a whimsical journey into the labyrinth of the human experience.
So whether you are an art newbie like me or an art connoisseur, One Life Many is surely something you shouldn’t miss. The showcase is open every day till the 17th of January, 2024 at IF.BE in Mumbai.