In a world where chaos and absurdity seem to run rampant, Tejal Patni’s Vichitra exhibition emerges as a surreal sanctuary that challenges the notion of an aimless universe. Straying from the path of traditional absurdism, Vichitra embraces satire and dark humor to create an immersive experience that aims to unify people through a shared sense of vulnerability and connection.
Patni, a photographer and ad filmmaker renowned for his work with leading fashion brands and publications both in India and internationally, derives inspiration from the unlikeliest of sources — an unfinished building in Delhi. It was within this structure’s walls, where life stubbornly persisted amid incompletion, that the concept for Vichitra took root. Patni, as a consummate visual artist, envisioned transporting the essence of this habitat into a gallery environment, pushing beyond the confines of standard artistic expression.
The exhibition itself is a masterful blend of the real and the imagined. It appears to delve into the hidden eccentricities that lie behind our meticulously manicured personal facades, which, when exposed in a public venue, encourage a profound sense of exposure and camaraderie among viewers. Tejal Patni effectively turns every observer into a co-creator, an intimate part of the narrative.
One of the most spellbinding aspects of the showcase is its live segments, within which actors inhabit rooms elaborately staged to evoke fantastical tales. Patni takes special pride in a particular set, the lift scene — an ingenious blend of the commonplace and the novel that harkens to local train interiors and their inherent quirks. These elements are emblematic of Patni’s unique creative domain, where divergent ideas and realities coalesce with a harmonious vibe.
Patni’s background in both fashion photography and filmmaking serves as the cornerstone for Vichitra’s eclectic nature. The presence of performance art within his work is not just an add-on; it is the lifeforce that animates the static elements of his exhibit, challenging both creator and audience alike to envision a seamless continuum where finite scenes flow into the boundless realm of artistic imagination.
Extending beyond the interactive and static displays, Vichitra also incorporates a captivating sequence of short films. These vignettes bridge the mundane and the magical, portraying urban dwellers in the throes of everyday life, only to be interrupted by the extraordinary characters from Patni’s world. In one such film, a routine bus ride under Mumbai’s scorching sun turns otherworldly when a vibrant woman in red awakens a staggering passenger, leaving him in awe as he offers her his seat, effectively muddying the waters between the common and the fantastical.
The culmination of these varied art forms reflects Patni’s fluid creative process and his preference for genre experimentation and fusion. While he delights in the challenge of blending distinct worlds, he also acknowledges the fine line that exists between genuine innovation and mere novelty. Success, he suggests, is the result of continuous trial and refinement.
Vichitra welcomes art aficionados and the curious alike at Snowball Studios until March 12, promising an odyssey that does not merely showcase art but invites you to live within it.
This testament to Patni’s artistic vision serves as a beacon, not only for the art community but for anyone seeking a deeper connection with the eccentricities that define the human experience. Patni has indeed created more than just an exhibition — he has established a realm where the lines between art, life, and performance become beautifully, and perhaps irrevocably, blurred.
