Monday, March 18, 2024

Art- Empty Spaces-Flow

The abstract of the exhibition is out. 

https://www.graduateinstitute.ch/communications/events/empty-spaces-flow-art-exhibition-abhinay-renny

Holidays with Harry- Take it to it's full potential

Contemplating on the exhibition and the pursuit of art, I called up Harry and shared a word. 

"Sir, I have my art exhibition is coming up. For a month. And I'm exhibiting a lot of work. I'm anxious about it." I said. 

"Congratulations. The longer the better, the more the better."

"How did you handle your big days- book launches sir?" I posed another question. 

"What theme are you working on? asked Harry

"Empty Spaces- more about migration."

"That's nice. Look at your art through your theme and see it's full potential. What do you wanna to take the idea forward. Once you intend to see it's full potential, your conversations, your presence, your approach with the art reflects the same. There's no mistake if you shout from the rooftop, there's no mistake if you don't shout from the rooftop. Just try to see it's full potential."

"I'm scared of my intense conviction to paint more and write more."

"The more the better again. It's nice you've the urge to express, you don't need to suppress it."

After the conversation, I stayed with these thoughts and it helped- Seeing the work to it's full potential. Being comfortable in expressing yourself more through art is always okay. 

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Geneva Journals- La Farce Haul

 La Farce has helped me to get a good routine. As I got into LaFarce, every thursday, a few hours are dedicated to grocery shopping and book shopping. As ever, I went to the library and picked few books, picked veggies, had a crepe and joined Jyot. Most of the times, I run into Nadeen at random places. I ran into her at LaFarce as well. 

Did a few Lidl errands with Jyot. After a real long time, caught up with her. Had a great time catching up with her and sharing what's happening in each other lives.


Art- El Adaptor

A very interesting play. An old man and a young woman in tradition french dress walks around, bring props on their own, chaning lights on their own and adding music on their own. Everything is part of play and everything is a play. For a strange reason, I didn't understand the language but got affected by it very intensely. I related the play mostly with oppression, patriarchy. 

Geneva Journals- The Thank You Lunch by Student Services team

Eliane has hosted a lunch for our contribution at Wellbeing week. It was attended by the welfare committee presidents, facilitators & performers. Over lunch, we talked about language, social sciences, engineers and a lot more. As ever, I was the last one to finish the food while others finished their lunch and heard my random tales patiently. It was a lot of fun to catch up with everyone over sumptuous full buffet. Thanks Eliane for the treat. Had a great time catching up over the food. Wishing each other a nice weekend, S and I walked towards GM, sharing stories and some tales. Good day. 


Friday, March 15, 2024

Art- Empty Spaces- Flow

The posters and pictures are here. Work for  the exhibition has begun. I have a bittersweet feeling as the exhibition commences. Anxious about how this is gonna be, excited for this month long exhibition and also worried if I can pull this off. A lot of emotions as I flow through the empty spaces.  It's time I tell myself, "Trust the process and flow through!"


 Thanks Shruti from Fab for the posters. 





Movie - 12th Fail

This movie has garnered a lot of attention and buzz amongst the movie goers. I was suggested to watch this movie when I was in India. I procrastinated it as long as I could and finally I watched it today. I have a lot running in my mind as I watched the movie. 

Vikrant Massey played the protagonist role and it's impressive. A story of a young boy from a small village, aspires to be honest and become an IPS officer, travels out of home and his success journey is the story. 

As I watched this movie, I could think of all my friends who aspired to crack UPSC.  Whenever I heard from others, UPSC has always been the feather to showcase the caliber and I never bought the story. Achieving something to showcase our worth was something that I always ran away from. Am I running away because I'm not capable to compete was one thought I always had to nudge with. Whenever there was a point to prove my worth to deserve respect, I always walked away from it. UPSC was always one. 

Until 24 years, I thought, I can try to attempt for UPSC exam to appease my parents but, I learnt that I was sure of what I don't want to do and never followed the path. But, at the end, the protagonist mentions how his intention is to reform the country by being a change agent rather than attain a position. In the act of service, one can find their purpose- I contemplated. Enjoyed watching this. 


Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Music- Shilpa Mudbi's rendition at Engineer's Pick

 


What an energy! I got reminded of the time, I attended Shilpa's session. Loved this storytelling piece. 


Monday, March 11, 2024

In dialogue with Brindusa Burrows

Ever since I attended the lecture of Brindusa's I was inspired by her work and her words. I am lucky to attend a few of her classes on Global issues & perspectives & political languages of art. 

I was able to catch up post workshop. After a long workshop, she agreed to listen to me and share a word. I shared my idea of empty spaces and how her lecture inspired me to shape my work in the way it is now. The way I looked at my art and explored my art work through an art manifesto. It helped me to look at myself and my art work in a different perspective. Brindusa shared few thoughts on how history has been passed through several mediums and how art is great gateway to perceive the world. The idea of perceiving the other world and the world we live in and sense the connectedness all through out. 

After looking at my work, she wanted to purchase one of my works. It was a special moment to sign my initials, mark the date and present it to her. I got reminded of my first autograph on my novel.  A moment that I'd cherish all my life. Thanks Brindusa for inspiring me by your words and works. Very grateful for your time and words.

Art- Empty Spaces- Flow

After traveling with the theme of Empty Spaces, I've come up with this abstract for my upcoming show. 

Empty Spaces- Flow

In the dichotomy of emptiness and fullness, we move around the world, filling
ourselves & the space with the places we lived in, places we wish to live in and
places we leave to live in other places. Sensing spaces in our own ways, what do we
carry along with us?

Living in different places and leaving people, memories, emotions behind, I walked
on the colorful rope of grief and gratitude. Grieving for the loss and being grateful for
the abundance.

Living with what we carry, I pondered on what do we bring to a space and how do we
affect it and how do we let it affect us?

In the constant flow of emptying, filling ourselves and spaces with memories,
emotions, rational thoughts, do we seek meaning out of the movement or do we
create a meaning to the movement?

At times, the lines are the borders that divides and derives the fullness of emptiness.
At moments, the lines are also the journeys humans and spaces flow through.
At times, the colors are the spaces that hold emotions. At moments, the colors are
the spaces that convey the emotions.

As there’s flow, how does space affect forced migration & forced migration affects
spaces, humans, who are the cause and the effect of it.

What’s full in an empty space?

What flows in an empty space?

Geneva Journals- The Eventful Sunday

Exploring and visiting different church Organs has become favourite past time. I visted the Holy Trinity Church that's built in 1853. The bus stop infront of the church never inspired to walk in and explore the place. However, I decided to check it out. I found the place calm and got amused by the paintings on the glass. The art work seemed to be inspired of cubism. 

After spending some time, I joined Snigdha, Grusha and Aniruddha for a cold dip at the lake. I always wished to take a dip but, never pushed myself. S is really good at keeping the energy high and inspiring people to push their limits. All of us got into the water and had great time taking the dip. For the first few minutes, I found it cold, later, I had a very different burning sensation, as I spent more time in cold water. My feet turned sensitive, body burning and there's exhiliration of energy. I loved it. Spent some time while S swam a bit. After the cold dip, thanks to the planning by the group, we had a piping hot tea. 

Over a long walk, we headed home and over creative Dal, Rajma made by S, coconut fish curry, Jeera rice by Grusha we shared stories and enjoyed each morsel being in the present moment. Soon after that, Snigdha and I walked to home sharing how we organise our days. S always comes up with  striking thoughts. "Structure enables creativity. It helps me to stay flexible," she shared, how organising her week helps her to have a fulfiled feeling over things she does. I got reminded of the habit I used to follow at my work- Write 7 things to do in a day according to priority. It has helped me to be more efficient at work. I realised I don't need to stick it to work. I can use it during my college days as well. Time to organise a bit. 

Soon after returning home, I rested a bit and realised I have a concert to attend. I rushed to the concert, collected my ticket and began to enjoy the performance. Attending several performances, I began to admire few musicians. I love the veteran who plays flute in Harmonie Nautique, also the conductor Eric Haegi. This time, the group collaborated with choir, Musikairos. Loved the energy. Thoroughly enjoyed the performance and was thrilled to see the group performing 3-4 additional pieces, as the crowd was not ready to leave the hall without listening to them again. Enjoyed it. Eventful sunday. 


Art- Empty Spaces-Flow

The abstract of the exhibition is out.  https://www.graduateinstitute.ch/communications/events/empty-spaces-flow-art-exhibition-abhinay-renny