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Artist's Dark Films Find Light in Neglected Stories
22 Sep
Summary
- Kanwar's art explores overlooked aspects of brutal histories.
- Films combine exquisite imagery with text and evocative soundtracks.
- Work suggests attending to darkness is key to avoiding self-destruction.
An exhibition by Indian artist Amar Kanwar invites viewers to step into darkness to find truth in often-overlooked aspects of difficult histories. For over 40 years, Kanwar has created lyrical films that explore themes ranging from the end of empire to sexual brutality.
His method focuses on the shadows and blind spots within gruesome narratives, rather than sensationalizing violence. The exhibition features 'Such a Morning,' a film about a professor seeking understanding through artificial darkness, employing striking visuals and a contemplative soundtrack.
'The Charcoal Man,' another film, examines the 1947 partition of India through the eyes of seemingly incidental figures. It explores the tension between remembering and forgetting as pathways to reconciliation, transforming painful memories into safeguards for the future.
Kanwar's art suggests that by confronting and attending to the darkness, both in history and in our own perceptions, humanity might find a way to avert self-destruction. This approach encourages reflection on how we interpret reality, proposing that blinding ourselves with too much light can lead us astray.
