Fibres of Hope
The works prepared for the show ‘ The Temples of Mind’ focuses on fibre. Fibre as a metaphor of the elements and components that go into relationships – metaphor of connectivity and relatedness, between humans and between humans and earth.
The work is done in a context of changing orientations of human meanings on phenomenal world. The recognition of and reverence for these elements and how they make a reality, along with aesthetic celebration, make this collection.
Here the work of art sets itself back into the material, where it comes to bear and rest. Where the art opens up and exhibits a dimension of reality, a deeper dimension which Heidegger calls ‘Being of the being’. What matters here is not ‘ what a thing is ‘ but rather ‘that it is’.
Major part of the work is with fibres. The rest are based on reflections and experiences of fibres. The fibres used in these works are banana, white cotton, coloured rags, rice paper, wood dust etc.
Fresh papers as they are made, before drying are placed in layers to create an inter-play of fibres. The work is nothing but a celebration of and with material, an experience of its aura and energy. In these works the material is an integral component of art. The material does not efface itself in being subservient to mere usefulness in making art. The art sets forth the material and the material sets forth the art, as a temple sculpture sets forth the stone and the stone, the sculpture.
Indian National Flag
Since 1997, as part of celebrating iNDIA'S 50 years of independence, we started producing our national flag in plastic. This to my mind is an antithesis to the values our flag, as a symbol, affirm and celebrate*. Flag which is supposed to be hand woven using good quality cotton, silk or wool fibres as specified.
It is shame to note that the only remaining community (Darwad- Karnataka ) that manufacture flags today for our use in the country is facing serious crisis and it has become impossible to continue the production.
* Our Flag is symbol of our resistance against imperialism,
a symbol of self reliance.
Our flag honor and celebrate labor,
labor seen not as drudgery but an act of consciousness and spirituality.
It affirm our faith and conviction in the philosophy that,
“the Means should justify the End”.
The flag affirm the value of authentic materials
- which radiate aura and energy,
which has a halo of truth around it.
Our flag is weaved .
It is weaved with fibres to make a reality,
- bringing a view of life in its totality.
An understanding of labor, materiel, spirituality-relationship among these,
An understanding of self reliance, freedom, celebration of life,
Inter connectedness, nonviolence, purity in thought and action.
The Flag produced in plastic is an antithesis to the values our National Flag stand for.
I hope these works help initiate a discussion on the subject.
C.F.John
1999
