Kochi: A group of talented students from Edathala KMEA College of Architecture has captured the real essence of people's lives in Kashmir and its stunning scenic beauty artistically, recreating their own experiences of visiting the northernmost state.
The 7th-semester students have brought to life the Kashmir that they experienced first-hand through various art forms as part of the ongoing Students Biennale in the Mattancherry Arman Building.
It is not just a simple expression of their imagination based on what one has heard or read about. They have travelled to the state, spent several days there, and come across the land and life of the beautiful state. Now they have reproduced the multi-level reflection of this first-hand experience through various art forms.
The thoughts and perceptions of the 70 students, spread across diverse domains, different mediums, and confines, have been depicted through 64 art creations. Among them are portraits, notes, poems, digital arts, drawings, doodles, and installations. Each creation communicates in its own way, even as everything conclusively becomes one wholesome installation reflecting the theme of Kashmir.
Inspiring life surroundings, innovation, heritage, traditional rituals, music in words, and even the thin smiles all get revealed through various mediums here. The short poems, notes, and other art forms vividly describe the lives of the people there, confined like that of a pupa to its shell.
"There may be many misconceptions and prejudices about Kashmir. Armed soldiers, terrorism, search, attacks…Fear creeps in first. However, this is only the tip of an iceberg that is visible above the ocean waterline. It comes to just 10 per cent. The valuable, in-depth, high-magnitude lives of the masses that form the remaining 90 per cent are beneath the water. Our attempt is to creatively capture the same from various angles. That's why the name 'Jannat-E-Kashmir – Through our eyes'," explained Shabna Shirin, who is the Coordinator.
One of the installations is the embodiment of the Dal lake in Kashmir. Acrylic sheets, plywood, and reflection from the water have all been creatively used to capture the attention of the eyes. A team comprising 18 students arrived at the Biennale venue to set up the art installation. Eleven of them are girl students, including Coordinator Shabna Shirin. PremjishAchari is the Curator.
"It's an honour for the Architecture College and us to receive such a big opportunity, often extended to most of the fine art institutes, and become part of the mega art fest," Shabna Shirin said.