Two works of maps on wood panels; which deals with the area of mythology> history> anthropology> migration> invasion> expulsion> displacement> unity> settlement. The multidimensional power of maps gives it the inclusiveness.
IMPORTANCE
Throughout history, there were many civilizations and lands, which are buried under history or lost in mysterious conditions. The reasons are mostly unknown. But we make speculations with available information and hypothesis.
The search for new lands always opens up the possibilities of invasion and violence, which was and is always the result of somebody's domination over the others. Neo-modes of information and ‘news or resources’, which may or may not be reliable, have the power to change or divert the entire connotation of a subject and it acts as the new mode of domination.
METHODOLOGY
I have a habit of visiting different places through ‘Google map’, especially the areas, which has considerable historical and archeological value. And from here, I take screenshots of zoomed areas, stitch it together to make a large scale map.
The recycled woods; which is nearly 200-300 years old, as material, was part of an entirely different functional existence before. Somehow it is the rebirth of the wood as an art piece. Its damages, marks and corrosions were from its previous birth.
The medium plays a vital role. Here I used panels of recycled wood to transfer the images. The slow manual process of transferring the digital prints on wood, gives accidental results. While transferring, through the process we can't predict how the final result would be. I often got maps with missing and erased areas along with extra lines and marks on it. The semi transparency of the wood surface and its rusted areas created some mystery to the map. Moreover, the recycled wood, which has an unknown history and has lost and damaged surfaces, creates holes and erases certain lands from the map.
PROCESS
There are two works of mixed medium on recycled wood panels. Both of the work have a size of 9ft x 5ft. Six panels of 3ft x 2.5 ft are joined together in one work, similarly in the other. One work shows the world map whereas the other depicts the South Asian region.
The use of high definition computer monitor is essential, as the process involves joining hundreds of screen shots together to get an image of 'google map' with desirable quality and size.
The map is then printed on paper, later subjected to processes like painting, erasing, fire burning etc., before transferring the print from paper surface to wood surface.
Multiple images of different layers are added throughout the process. The surface of the wood has to be treated and protected well.
-Saju Kunhan
Saju's final works:
History Always Repeats, 2016
9 ft x 5 ft (6 panels)
Mixed Medium on Wood,
Saju Kunhan, Mumbai, India
9 ft x 5 ft (6 panels)
Mixed Medium on Wood,
Saju Kunhan, Mumbai, India
United We Stand Divided We Rule, 2016
9 ft x 5 ft (6 panels)
Mixed medium on wood
Saju Kunhan, Mumbai, India
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