Methods seriesConcept and facilitated by Akshay Sethi “Un-masking the Book” is an immersive workshop that brings together visual art, literature, and cultural anthropology. Participants will explore the history of masks across cultures and their presence in contemporary art practices, followed by an introspective process of translating the conceptual layers of a book of their choice into a sculptural mask. The workshop encourages critical engagement, introspection and material exploration, culminating in a wearable or displayable mask layered with text from the chosen book. The objective of the workshop is to introduce participants to the cultural, ritualistic, and artistic significance of masks and draw parallels between traditional uses of masks and their reinterpretations in contemporary art. The workshop will focus on the process to convert literary ideas into visual and tactile forms, to guide participants in conceptualising and constructing a mask inspired by the text, characters, metaphors, and structures of a book they resonate with and to enable hands-on experience in sculpting, surface treatment, and mixed-media layering. The workshop is guided through a balance of theoretical grounding, exploratory dialogue, and hands-on making. Participants receive individual attention to help them move from conceptualisation to execution. Registered Participants will be provided with the raw material and space to work on during the workshop at designated area in the Museum. Other details of the workshop shall be mailed after completion of registration. A special detailed walkthrough of the exhibition Jo Gaya hai, Aur Hazir Bhi – book sculptures of Saba Hasan will be scheduled at 3.00 PM for the participants, led by the curator of the show. The full day workshop will also provide for tea-breaks and refreshments. Akshay Sethi bio: Akshay Sethi is visual artist and educator based in Delhi. His practice explores the relationship between the personal and political, contemplated through everyday experience, within the domain of the ordinary and the quotidian. He is a post-graduate from the College of Art ,New Delhi and has shown his works at the India Art fair 2023, Serendipity Arts Festival (2019) and 1Shanthiroad Studios, Bangalore (2020). He is a recipient of the Inlaks international artist residency program at ISCP New York 2023. He is part of the First Draft Collective and has published his narrative pieces with Blue jackal, India (2018), awham Magazine, Berlin (2022), and with STRAPZIN, Zurich.
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