Above is a Amar Kanwar (photo by Monica Tewary). I was fortunate to hear him talk at the launch of his new show at the Serpentine on 22nd September and he outlined the lengthy process that goes into creating his work. Having spent many years arguing, he said, he wanted to change tack and have a ‘conversation’ and observe events rather than try to wade into situations and manipulate them.
Having heard his words it was a pleasure to enter the (very dark) exhibition space. On a bright sunny day it took a while for my eyes to adjust to a darkened world of flickering images. The films take their time to evolve. Kanwar is very interested in history and the way humans never seem to learn lessons from the past. He is especially concerned with Indian history and the legacy of decolonialisation and the Partition of India and Pakistan.
Above is a still from The Peacock’s Graveyard (Digital video installation, 7 screens, dimensions variable, 28 mins, 16 sec. Courtesy of the artist and Marian Goodman Gallery.) It’s a mesmerising film with words written by Kanwar “stories within stories”.
Also, in the darkened gallery space, is a series of projections, fixed to the wall, displaying tiny images which show up on textured, woven and handmade squares of fabric or paper. These are stills from films which, when presented separately, acquire a new identity, often quite magical and tender.
As you might have gathered, I find the work quite hard to describe and to quantify. All I suggest is that you visit the Serpentine North Gallery (a very dynamic building, just over the bridge crossing the Serpentine Lake) and see for yourself.
The show is open until 31 January 2027.
