Performance and Installation Art Beyond the Frame
I design art encounters that invite you into the performance, moving pieces beyond the static frame and into a living, breathing experience.
The central installation of Archana Hande's 'WEAVING LIGHT'. This piece, resembling a loom, was created with stacks of textile punch cards and became the centerpiece of a dark, immersive environment filled with light and shadow.
A view of the 'WEAVING LIGHT' installation, where shadows from jacquard cards are projected onto the walls and floor, creating a digital-like matrix. This show explored the history of weaving, from handloom to digital production.
A video walkthrough of the 'WEAVING LIGHT' installation, capturing the magical, shifting patterns of light and shadow that filled the gallery space. This shows how I use the entire room as a canvas.
A video of Smitha Cariappa's live performance 'Seeing is not the same as Looking'. The artist sits in a corner, interacting with natural materials, her movements and shadows becoming part of the artwork.
The culmination of the live performance, where flower-stained fabrics are arranged on the floor. The artwork is the process itself, and what remains is a trace of the actions performed.
During the performance, audience members were invited to create their own arrangements with flowers and other materials, inspired by the Japanese art of Ikebana. This makes the viewer a co-creator.
A still from Smitha Cariappa's performance, showing the artist's reflection in the gallery's polished floor, adding another layer to the visual experience.
A close-up video of the artist working with flowers and water, a meditative and ritualistic part of her durational performance.
A close-up of the artist staining fabric with crushed flower petals, a key action in the 'Seeing is not the same as Looking' performance.
A wide shot of the performance space, showing the artist's solitary actions and the play of light and shadow on the walls.
About Performance & Installation: Art Beyond the Frame
My approach isn't about hanging pictures; it's about building a stage where the art and the viewer share the same breath. Whether it's the immersive light-play of Archana Hande's loom-inspired installations or a durational live event where fabric becomes a canvas, I focus on transforming the gallery into a place where you can walk through and participate in the story.
Exhibitions should act as a bridge between the artist's internal world and the visitor. When I work on installation art, I look for ways to break the silence of the gallery. This means treating the entire room as a canvas. For a project like 'WEAVING LIGHT', we didn't just place objects on pedestals. We used light, shadows, and physical materials to recreate the rhythm of the loom, forcing visitors to slow down and notice the history of the objects around them.
Live performance art adds another layer of unpredictability. In 'Seeing is not the same as Looking', the gallery became a meditative space where the audience watched the process of creation itself. By providing materials and inviting viewers to interact, we turned a spectator sport into a collaborative memory. My process involves:
- Environment Design: Mapping the flow of the room so visitors feel guided through a narrative rather than just looking at rows of art.
- Material Interaction: Including props or sensory elements that allow for tactile engagement.
- Atmospheric Staging: Using lighting, sound, and spatial layout to control the mood, ensuring the art feels like it has a place in the room.
I design these shows for galleries, private collections, or public spaces in Bangalore and beyond. If you have a collection that needs more than just a wall-mount, or if you want to host an event that challenges how people engage with art, let's talk about the possibilities.
Cop Shiva
I'm Cop Shiva. I spent years as a policeman and a teacher, and now I use that same eye for human stories to design art shows. I don't believe in silent galleries; I believe in spaces that pull you into a memory, a question, or a new way of seeing.
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