The Bionic Man - Sensing The Extraordinary

Neil Harbisson’s presentation at the TEDxGateway, Mumbai last year is an inspiring tale of possibilities that encompasses passion, creativity and determination. Born with acromatopsia, a condition that caused Harbisson to see the world in black and white and shades of grey, he helped develop a head mounted sensor or eyeborg that picked up colour frequencies and transposed them into sound frequencies. In 2009, the eyeborg was developed into a chip which was implanted into his head and that allowed him to also perceive infrared and ultraviolet colours which are ordinarily outside the range of human perception. It is widely accepted that Harbisson became the world’s first cyborg in 2004 when his passport photograph wearing the eyeborg was officially recognized and accepted.

The bionic implant has allowed Harbisson to pursue his passion and continue a career in contemporary art and music. This article is not limited to Neil Harbisson’s art but also touches upon the incredible transformations that are possible when science and technology are applied to enhance and assist human life experiences and to impart dignity in living.

Art

Harbisson’s early works employ a black and white and grey palette, however his later works, not surprisingly, explore the relationship between colour and sound and our response to colour. His artworks have been exhibited during the 54th Venice Biennale, at London and Barcelona and other cities. He creates sound portraits of people by listening to the colours of faces, a fascinating concept where he listens to the different micro tone chords depending on the colours. His eyeborg picks up the different notes from the different parts of the face which he writes down on a special 360 lined manuscript paper. He has created sound portraits of Prince Charles, Leonardo DiCaprio and Woody Allen amongst others.

Harbisson created a series of paintings ‘City Colours’ by scanning capitals of various countries and representing them through two main hues. He also created a series of paintings titled ‘Colour Scores’ by transforming the first hundred notes of well-known musical pieces into colour.

I feel Harbisson’s art offers a unique perspective on abstract concepts that are precisely translated into paintings - where geometric patterns of colours follow a determinate code and progression. It is fascinating to note that Harbisson perceives the human skin not as black or white but as varying shades of orange, what an astounding discovery that must be such a blow to racists!

Social Relevance

Harbisson’s contribution in the field of cybernetics is also of great humanitarian value as it can be directly applied in medical therapy. His foundation provides an open source platform for development of software to assist people in creating individualized solutions which is a crucial step in empowering the user. The foundation is also working on creating a device that can aid the visually impaired and eliminate the need to use Braille. 
The scope of cybernetics in medicine has tremendous possibilities to aid and to restore vision, limbs and perhaps the most important of all dignity of existence. For those who have impaired faculties, it is not just the trauma of day to day living, but also the stress of having to deal with being ‘different’. A recent episode where an amputee was made to remove her artificial leg at the Mumbai Airport was widely reported in the media, but one cannot even begin to imagine the distress caused to the person in question. Harbisson takes pride in being a cyborg and it helps to reiterate the normalcy in being ‘different’ and his work is critical to sensitizing society to the differently abled.

The future is now

I am a great proponent of technology and a few years ago turned to a speech recognition tool after a minor injury and now use it for all my writing! ‘A Brief History of Time’ and other scientific contributions by Stephen Hawking may not have taken place had there been no technological intervention to assist the wheelchair bound theoretical physicist. Cybernetics has revolutionized life and health of human beings whether it is pacemakers, artificial limbs or bionic implants; it has the capacity to alter lives and sensory experiences and to allow people to pursue their passions and inculcate normalcy in their lives.

What makes an idea great is the intention behind it and an appreciation of its magic that has the power to sustain life or to eradicate it!

Franklin Templeton Investments partnered the TEDxGateway Mumbai in December 2012.
Watch the video here

Metro Art – A Venue For Public Art

As the much awaited Bangalore metro gets ready to be unveiled, there is a sense of anticipation and expectation in the air.  The elevated metro network with its multiple stations has transformed the topography of a major part of the city with the presence of gigantic concrete pillars and tracks.  The metro in Bangalore with its vast network should stand for much more than connectivity and aim to become a symbol of cultural and geographical significance.  After all, a metro station need not be a plain and bare space overlaid with metal and concrete, but can easily be an inspiring and imaginative space brimming with creativity.  A source of pride for the residents and a feast for the eyes for the daily commuters!

The metro stations can provide a wonderful forum for public art and function as a repository of artworks. The days of ill illuminated and uninspiring station are passé and now some of the finest art museums are located and displayed at some of the most innovative metro stations in the world. The Stockholm metro station is considered to be amongst the ‘world's largest and most impressive museums’ which contains sculptures, mosaics, paintings, installations, inscriptions and reliefs from 1950s onwards and done by more than a hundred artists.  In fact, Stockholm's ‘tunnelbana’ is referred to as the world's longest art gallery because works of art have been integrated in almost every station.  Some of the other Metros with significant public art and architecture in the stations are Brussels, Montreal, Stockholm, Athens, Prague and Moscow. 

The Bangalore metro too has the potential to combine art and architecture and create a platform to showcase Indian contemporary art before the world.  As the metro will be used by local citizens as well as tourists it therefore provides the perfect opportunity to create a stunning display which can set a benchmark.  A different design for each station also works well with commuters as each station then has its own identity and unique character.

In terms of artworks, there are immense possibilities, for instance in Paris there are stations which display copies of masterpieces from the Louvre, giant murals and sculptures form part of the artworks at Santiago's metro, while in Athens there are archaeological exhibits at several of the metro stations.  An elevated art installation with flying figures at one of the stations in Brussels has a stunning impact.  In Dubai, the metro stations see a combination of heritage and modern designs which are inspired from elements of nature as well as Islamic influences.

Similarly, the Bangalore metro has the potential to create a world class ambience and stunning interiors by adding artworks in a cohesive and integrated manner which highlights the cultural significance of the region in an international style. Life sized sculptures, folk and tribal art, contemporary paintings, murals and large installations are just a few artworks which can be used innovatively to clearly state that Bangalore is much more than an IT capital: it is also an important arts and culture destination.

The design possibilities are endless and the stations could follow a futuristic, minimalist or a traditional style which becomes a unified entity through its architecture and art.  Each station could adopt an exclusive design style which can then influence the rest of the decor scheme accordingly. It is important here to have a systematic approach to ensure that there is no haphazard display of art and an integrated harmonious look is created. There is enormous talent in the city and the region and one can create a metro with a distinct identity which the city can be proud of.

The writer is an art consultant


(Published in Nov, 2011 in Times of India, Bangalore)

Art Collection at Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore

Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, Mysore 

Mysore is an important tourist destination for visitors to Karnataka, where most people consider the Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills and the Brindavan Gardens high on their must see list, but not many visitors know about the Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery.

The Jaganmohan Palace stands a little distance away from the Mysore Palace and it is a treasure house filled with rare art and antiques from the private collection of the Wodeyars of Mysore. The gallery itself is called the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery which was converted into an art gallery in 1875 and has an amazing collection of paintings, antique furniture, musical instruments, weapons, brass artifacts, porcelain, marble busts, ancient coins and rare photographs. Paintings and sculptures by prominent artists from the late 19th century are also a part of the display.

As you enter, you will see grand old clocks in all sizes, including a French musical calendar clock and a few more with carved statuettes and chariots which are placed close to the entrance. Exquisite birds on silk cloth are part of the Japanese art section, while the Mughal and Rajasthani miniatures form a fascinating collection that depicts delicately rendered figures in the traditional style. Inspired by the epics these are woven around themes such as Radha-Krishna, musical gatherings and also hunting scenes. Next to it are several rare old photographs of the Dassara festival, which reiterate the importance of the grand celebrations associated with the festival. Celebrations have been scaled down now but the tradition continues in Mysore to this day.

The art gallery is comprehensive with several Indian artists and a few Western ones as well. Amongst the Indian artists, to see Raja Ravi Verma’s paintings in the original is a delightful treat. Based on mythology and the Ramayana and Mahabharata, there are large oils such as ‘Swan Messenger’, ‘Lady in Moonlight’ and ‘Harishchandra’ amongst others. Ravi Verma (1848 – 1906) is considered an unquestionable master of portraits and figures, the delicate skin tones, fall of drapes and the level of detailing he captured are part of his paintings’ charm.

There are other works by Raja Rama Verma (Ravi Verma’s brother), Ishwardas, Haldenkar and Subbukrishna. Numerous large panels depicting the Royal family during court sessions, Dassara processions and otherwise have been done by various artists. ‘Glow of Hope’ by Haldenkar is a fascinating painting of a woman holding a lighted lamp where the light from the lamp casts a glow on the woman’s face, which is visible even in absolute darkness. Gagendranath Tagore’s intriguing play of light in his works creates stark yet captivating images.

To enter the Western art gallery and to come across a self-portrait by Rembrandt is a huge surprise and an incredible experience. ‘Crucifixion’ by PP Rubens and exquisite miniatures in oil by L. Gunov are notable in this section. Paintings by Abdur Rahman Chughtai are delicately rendered and influences from the Mughal style are subtle but evident. There is a large collection of paintings done in the traditional Mysore style using the gold leaf to embellish the images. Other paintings include examples from Shantiniketan, Persian and Tibetan art.

For music connoisseurs, an excellent assortment of musical instruments is preserved in the gallery and the royal family, it is believed, used some of them.

One hopes that this wonderful collection of art and antiques, considered one of the best in South India, will be preserved well for future generations.


Also read,
Visit to NGMA, Bangalore
Art Collection at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore

Updated version of an article published in Times of India in 2006.

Guest Post: Photohappiness

Introducing a new series by guest writers with the first post by Bangalore based photo artist Shibu Arakkal

Photohappiness

Photography and its meaning in the midst of a million clicks

The word 'happiness' to me is so synonymous with taking pictures. There is something so exhilaratingly profound about having frozen a slice of time on film or as in these days, digitally. The mere seduction of a thoughtfully crafted photograph emerging out of nowhere in the red of a darkroom is much the reason for my nineteen year love affair.

I have always maintained that we're all so naturally drawn to photography, maybe because it is the most realistic of all two-dimensional visual art forms or maybe like painting or sculpture, there isn't anything particularly intimidating about it. So whether it is that black and white studio portrait of our grand parents' wedding or that iconic album cover of a favourite music CD, certain pictures have forever found a place in our very being, maybe without much realization. It also goes to show how the emotion is so intrinsic to any photograph as its very soul.

It is also why I am rarely surprised when someone decides to quit an MBA degree or their jobs in software to wanting to take pictures for a living.

I think that we also make too much of being able to articulate our emotions for art in general and in critiquing it. Just that we instantly relate to or even in retrospect feel something very strongly for an art work or even don't realize that an art work has imprinted itself into our subconscious means much more than being able to articulate our emotion for it. As such and particularly in photography there are images that we never seem to forget, irrespective of whether there was an appreciable element of technical wizardry or a very simply execution of a great idea.

As there are photographs that have defined times and moments in this world, there are those single shots that can make one's whole life worthwhile. William Albert Allard's portrait of this crying Peruvian boy who lost his sheep to a hit and run taxi moved so many people around the world to chip in and buy the boy a whole new herd. That single portrait was responsible for a lot of lost sleep for a whole lot of people other than everyone who saw it questioning what was right in this world.

The great American landscapes photographed by Ansel Adams stand tall as a monument to high art and have over the years helped to bring great attention to natural conservation in the country. Interestingly and a less known fact, Adams destroyed a lot of his negatives towards the end of his life as he felt that he didn't have enough time to print them himself. It is a certain happiness that you have gained from what you do that dictates what shall eventually happen of the pictures you have taken.

Life's stories in all its variations are almost normal when compared to the ones photographers tell you. It is sometimes an absolute compulsion to take that one elusive picture that has got someone into heaps of trouble or simply a desire to create something that shall live on, that has seen one scale the very heights of photographic yearning.

In such a world seemed to live Bill Brandt, whose artistic interpretation of early twentieth century middle class English life and portraits of great English names in its soul screamed and cried and at the same time glorified all that was so in essence 'English'.

Like the musicians and poets of a time, the photographers are the ones who remind us what things looked like, their interpretation of it, of course.

It is not often in a world of so many do's and don't's, that we experience true liberation of the mind and the soul. Taking a simple, conscious and intentful photograph does that so very often that, pardon the pun but it seems to instantly put things into perspective.

Shibu Arakkal is a Bangalore based photo artist whose work has been shown at the Royal College of Art in London, the Arad International Biennale in Romania, and the National Exhibition of Art in India over a nineteen year career with his works in private and institutional collections in India and abroad.

For more on the artist go to shibuarakkal.com
To follow the artist go to facebook.com/ShibuArakkalPhotoArt

Also read on Indian Art,

Fine Art Photography
Photography Shows in Bangalore
Photography as a Medium of Expression

Guide: Exhibiting Your Artworks

Preparing to exhibit your artworks

There are a number of self-taught and aspiring artists and photographers who tend to build a body of work over time.  One of the most common requests I get on social media networks is to look at images and give feedback to the artist if the artworks are ready to be publicly exhibited, if yes, how does one go about it and which galleries they could approach.

Critiquing and curating artworks for public display is a time consuming process and cannot be undertaken either briefly or instantly over social networks. In all probability the responses you get in such cases is unlikely to help you put together an art show.

Here are a few pointers to help you initiate the process:

• If you are unsure of the quality of your work, it would be advisable to get professional opinion on it. Look for an art consultant, curator or even a gallerist who can critique the works and also guide you towards having an art exhibition.
• Alternately, if you feel comfortable and are able to be objective about your art you can choose the best works from your entire collection. Please ensure you have a common theme or thread running through them. Make sure you have a sufficient number of artworks. Also, be clear that you are ready to show your art in public and to face critique.
• It would also be a good idea to visit as many art exhibitions as possible, preferably curated art shows hosted at art galleries in your city.  What this will do is give you a perspective of where your art stands vis a vis other artists in terms of technical skills, composition, use of colours, theme and so on.  It will also give you an overall sense about displaying art. 
• If you do have a substantial body of work which is exhibit friendly, you could directly approach local art galleries. It would be advisable to make a portfolio of your works to show them. Sending soft copies of portfolios over e-mails may work, but these days one receives so many mails and images that despite good intentions, once it slides to the bottom of the mail display page, it is easy to forget about it.
• Approach galleries that specialize in your art domain (painting, photograph, sculpture, etc) or those who showcase diverse art forms.

Related posts,

How to organize an art exhibition

Art Exhibition – Behind the scenes

With this series of mini guide, Exhibiting Your Artworks, other related topics will be covered in coming posts.