Fluidity of horizons by Parvathi Nayar, an amazing art, Kochi Muziris biennale 2014

"The starting point of these explorations is the dot, the punctum (the point) whose endless iterations..."  I liked it, very meaningful words!

This brilliant artist has included so many facets of the ancient history of the Malabar coast in this work especially the skillful integration of 'astrolabe', an astronomical instrument widely used by explorers during that time.

Beautiful creation!

A must see art, do not miss it 😊

Pepper, dubbed as the 'black gold' and other condiments and spices attracted many explorers to this part of the world that led to a series of historical events which as you all know finally became a double-edged sword - the story of how the visitors became the rulers!

http://www.kochimuzirisbiennale.org

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4CZoVIFGQo   watch the interview with the artist.

I have written a post some time ago about the 'Ibn Battuta mall' in Dubai where I have posted a picture of Islamic astrolabe http://magicalpresent.blogspot.in/2014/01/ibn-battuta-mall-in-dubai-theme.html

Artists are creative people. They express ideas in a creative manner stimulating us to think, enjoy and smile :) Art can become powerful tools to convey messages, and it may trigger many complex emotions. It is a powerful medium. 

• Only art can reflect certain delicate aspects of life.

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Merry Christmas...2014

@Lulu mall

@Lulu mall

All my blogger friends...

Merry Christmas...

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Awesome graffiti being created...Kochi - Muziris biennale 2014

It was really exciting to watch such an awesome graffiti being created!
A group of talented art students of RLV College of Music and fine arts, Tripunithura, Kerala are working to realize this art. Off Jew town road, on the wall in a narrow alley, we also could add some strokes on this magnificent art. Thank you, guys😊

Brilliant!

Bright colors, superb drawing...!

Very interesting to watch them painting😊

The entrance of the Jew town street...walk just ten yards ahead, turn left and enjoy this wonderful creation!

Art is cool, powerful, uplifting, refreshing. Enjoy it, love it and be cool with it. It is a powerful tool for personal development, enlightenment, and soul nourishment. 

• Graffiti is an art form that stirs souls.  Try doing it at least once...and enjoy the feeling :)

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Ryota kuwakubo, Lost # 12, play of light and shadow, electronic art installation

A fascinating electronic art installation by Ryota Kuwakubo at the Aspinwall House, the main venue of the Kochi Muziris Biennale 2014😊

An LED light attached to a moving toy train on rails creates shadows on the walls of the dark room as it passes through and alongside numerous objects most of which were collected from the shops in Kochi. Brilliant!

Well, the interpretation of the shadows is purely personal. I listened to the comments of the people who were there along with me. 

Different perceptions, same spectacle! After all, it is a familiar scenario in real life too...!

It was exciting to watch the shadows when the train entered the red basket top!

Thumbs up, Ryota😊

http://ryotakuwakubo.com

http://www.kochimuzirisbiennale.org

If you browse my blogs you will find more posts regarding some of the awesome artworks depicted in the Kochi - Muziris Biennale 2014.

• Art in any form, anywhere by anybody is beautiful.

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'Sea power', a beautiful art by Hew Locke at the Kochi - Muziris Biennale 2014

Wow, what a beautiful creation!

This art, named as 'Seapower', is created by the British artist Hew Locke at the Kochi - Muziris Biennale, currently taking place at Fort Kochi in Ernakulam, Kerala, India.

Vasco da Gama, his fleet and the explorations by him into the then-unknown places in the world are known to all of us. His arrival in India initiated a series of events in this part of the world that marked the beginning of globalization with trade and developments and also initiated many serious problems peppered by greed and cruelty that led to wars, invasion and subsequent colonization.

Vasco da Gama, died in Kochi in 1524 while on his third visit to India. His body was initially buried St. Francis CSI Church, Kochi. His mortal remains were taken back to Portugal later on.

The quest of the unknown, eagerness to know what lies far away in the horizon, and the journey into the vastness of the endless ocean by this man is always a topic of interest not only to history enthusiasts but also to artists as well. What better place than Fort Kochi to create a remarkable portrait as a tribute to this great explorer!

                         

An awesome creation! Hats off to the artist 😊

Beautifully crafted with black beads and cord on the walls in one of the rooms in Aspinwall House, a centuries-old monument, this is a visual treat to the visitors and is simply magnificent! No wonder visitors spend quality time here immersed in the beauty of this wonderful portrait.

Kochi - Muziris Biennale 2014 is a wonderful event!

       

The first ever Biennale in India took place at Fort Kochi in 2012. It was a huge success. The current event is already a success with scores of people from all over the world visiting.

Aspinwall house is one of the main venues of this historic event. This is the view of this heritage building from the seaside.

Muziris is mentioned in many historical records and is thought to be in the vicinity of the present-day Kodungalloor, near Kochi. The popular version of the history says this ancient port disappeared during a flood in the river Periyar and then the new port, Kochi emerged.

Let this biennale bring it out from its mythical state to such immortal artistic forms that would never disappear. However, memories blossomed here will remain alive forever!

How to reach?

Fort Kochi is well connected by road, rail and ferry. Just get into a boat from the Boat jetty at off Marine drive opposite BSNL Office and within twenty minutes you can reach there. There are plenty of buses too.                     
www.kochimuzirisbiennale.org

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kochi-Muziris_Biennale
https://www.facebook.com/KochiMuzirisBiennale
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muziris
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Francis_Church,_Kochi

http://www.hewlocke.net
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hew_Locke

• Art is powerful. Art is therapeutic. Art is soothing.

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Peaks and valleys - a book review

A great book!

'Who moved my cheese ?' was the first book I read written by Dr. Spencer Johnson. What an awesome book it was! Enjoyed it so many times over all these years. Now another gem...'Peaks and valleys'!

The story revolves around a wise old man and a young chap about tackling successfully the low downsides in life and to make use of it too work for our own good both in work and life. It also details how we can enjoy more while at the peak, prolong this phase as well as to prepare ourselves to deal with the inevitable valley life in a better way.

Simply written, sure you all will enjoy this motivational book.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_Johnson_(writer)

• While at the peak, at the pinnacle of a career, basking in the glory of limelight we may not think how lonely it can become when a crisis hits. Books like these give hope, restore confidence and provide great help when nothing seems working. 

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Creative ideas for success, an example - Wind catcher, an amazing traditional indoor temperature maintenance system!

Those who have traveled middle eastern countries might have noticed such tall cylindrical structures on top of buildings especially the old ones. These are actually 'wind catchers', they as the name suggests, literally 'catch' wind to direct the flow of it towards the interior of house creating a uniform airflow throughout, thus maintaining the temperature inside at a very cool level even in the hottest summer times when the temperature in the desert can go well above 50 degree Celsius. A marvelous traditional architectural innovation by the old generation that worked well effectively and is still relevant. Nowadays you will find many firms worldwide providing similar systems based on this unique concept to make our homes 'green'.

This system is very much environment-friendly.

Modern technology modified the traditional concept by adding solar powered fans to direct the flow inwards in a much more efficient manner. There are many technical things involved in the design of such wind-driven air management systems.

Well, I am not going into the technical details of this awesome innovation. Those who would like to know more please check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windcatcher

I googled to collect more info about wind catchers before posting this, wow...there are effective methods to remain 'cool' inside our homes during summer. In Kerala, day by day atmospheric temperature is going up, humidity levels are rising and rains becoming less. It is high time to conduct more research to find out 'greener methods' to make our life better.

We all have to learn a lot from our pasts; we have much more to learn from our ancestors. There is no denying the fact that they had more creative talents than us. Limited resources, the acute necessity to do things for survival, the day-to-day struggles to live life well, all made them work hard combined with the good human values that the society had at those times. Most of the innovations were made not with commercial eyes but with much better intentions for the betterment of human lives in general.

Things are possible, there is nothing like impossible! But the first step is always important. Start... action! We cannot learn to swim in water without getting into the water.

Be cool!

• Our ancestors, with limited resources, were able to invent many things that made their life simpler. Wonder, how they could come out with such great innovations with very primitive technology at their disposal. Hats off to such creative minds!

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