Afghan Church at the centre of art

Art often draws from its surrounding It gets more pronounced and finds greater meaning if displayed at a venue that adds to its theme and both blend in a seamless visual Taking a cue from this thought Mumbaibased artist Suruchi Choksi in collaboration with Eve Lemesle of art space What About Art has taken a step to display her new collection of video works Unbelong at the Afghan Church also known as Church of St John The Evangelist mdash an Anglican Church in Colaba which was built by the British to commemorate the dead of the disastrous defeat in the First Afghan War of 1838The opening day of the video exhibitThe worksUnbelong as the series is titled seeks to explore the two diametrically opposite characteristics of human behaviour and its ramifications mdash to want to not want ldquoI have explored this concept through four short films Each film has a different approach a different treatment but tries to bring home the same idea mdash how is it that something at a given moment seems so precious so inseparable but becomes so easily replaceable forgettable How does it feel to be revered one day and relegated to being refused the next What is it like to be put on a pedestal adored and admired one day and discarded or abandoned the nextrdquo explains ChoksiUnbelong will take place at the Afghan Church in Colaba PicSameer MarkandeThe 39yearold has used mythology and cultural practices as metaphors and created universal stories like pictorial collages depicting myriad layers of reality ldquoThe viewer is allowed to infer his own meaningrdquo she sharesThe artist stresses that through this exhibition she wants to bring to the viewers this reality of unbelong never more glaringly relevant than now when in our constant quest to acquire more wealth more material things and bigger social circles we have forgotten what it means to belong in this moment to truly be with the one we are and to enjoy all that we have already acquired Instead each acquisition becomes a marker to aspire for something elseWhy inside a churchThe opening of the show will take place at the Afghan Church and the works will move to Bandrarsquos What About Art for the next 10 days Leading us in to her choice of the opening dayrsquos venue Choksi elaborates that the theme of the films is profound and the treatment somber so she along with Lemesle felt that showing it at an alternative location like an abandoned building or a church would make it appear more engagingldquoThe Afghan Church is somewhat of an enigma in a way it epitomises this sense of unbelonging mdash it is an Anglican church built by the British it has a small transitory parish comprising mainly of naval officers and their families that get transferred and move away but mainly the irony that so many people in the city do not know about this gorgeous piece of heritage its location at the far end of Colaba intensifying its isolation mdash it really is in the city but not of itrdquo she briefs usState of the artHowever the artist admits that wanting to showcase the films at the church is a gamble given its imposing structure But despite the grand scale and the stunning architecture Choksi says that it is not overwhelming ldquoI have felt a deep sense of serenity and tranquil detachment every time Irsquove been there and that is the space I want the viewers to be in when they see the films hererdquo she puts things in perspectiveStills from the video works created by artist Suruchi Choksi for her exhibition UnbelongWas it easy to get the required permissions in place to exhibit her works at the church we quizzed to which the Juhu resident answers ldquoWe did not have any permission issues to host the event here We have taken due care of the formalities The Reverend and the caretaker were very kind and helpful Also considering that it is a freestanding projection there is no threat or risk of damage of any kind it was easy to assure themrdquoOn February 15 Afghan Church Colaba and February 16 to 24 What About Art 7 Baitush Apts 29th Road off Waterfield Road Bandra WCall 9920994089