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Familiar tales
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Christin Kalweit tries to weave a narrative through interpretation and manipulation of photographic images
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GO DIGITAL Small format portraits superimposed on cityscapes do create interesting results
India constantly inspires and challenges me to create new pieces that tell stories about its culture and society, with all of its unique contrasts and quirks,” says Christin Kalweit.
The Munich-born digital photo artist has been living in Bangalore during the last three years.
In her maiden solo exhibition, titled Credible India, which is currently on in the city, she presents a set of images which alludes to “an abundance of new subject matter. This also includes the stark contrast between wealth and poverty, the Indian gender imbalance, and the often imperceptible beauty”.
Christin admits that each of her creations begins with a thought and a simple photograph. “From there, I tell the story: an interpretation, and sometimes exaggeration, of what we see around us every day, but what often goes unnoticed. I hope that my work will provoke the viewer to question the subject, think about it differently, and perhaps stimulate discussion.”
This approach of manipulation of photographic images works in some instances where the technique and content are adequately balanced. Small format portraits superimposed on cityscapes do create interesting results. Although quite literal in intent and execution, “The Next Meal” catches the eye while featuring mounds of rice interspersed with hungry people.
In “Bangalore Reality” the artist’s idea is to glimpse portions of Garden City as one filled with trash. Such hints of irony and sarcasm are also to be found in works like “Roofs” (a cluttered collage of slums) and “Government’s Work is God’s Work” (where hundreds of garishly painted Ganesha idols are seen across vacant spaces in and around Vidhana Soudha).
Notwithstanding the enthusiasm of the artist, the show does not rise above the ordinary.
For one, the viewer is quite familiar with such literal interpretations. The manipulation technique is also clearly overworked in many of the works, reducing the visual impact.
The exhibition concludes on April 17 at Tasveer-Sua House, Kasturba Cross Road. Phone: 41120782.
GIRIDHAR KHASNIS
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