Don’t play with dolls!
An intriguing installation project has come up near the canteen area in our
college. At first glance a scarecrow appears to be installed against a tree with head drooping, hands tied back, it evokes varied responses. On closer
inspection there emerges a double head for this main figure, one looking up at
the tree it hugs - to live or die is the question. Peering at the viewer, is a series
of white masks along the trunk, held in place by hundreds of strands of thread
leading to the presence of handmade ragdolls suspended from the branches.
The entire artwork made from discarded and reusable materials reiterates the
need to consume within limits or to perish as we, the human race, consume
ourselves along with the environment we exist in. This project is the creative
work of students of the Department of Fine Arts in collaboration with the Art
Houz gallery and is based on the Chipko movement which began in the 1970s
as rural women clung to trees in order to prevent them from being cut down.
Today as we realise that we must renew our pledge to save our lives by
saving the environment let us give up destructive ways and begin nurturing
our spaces. Let us take one simple step - that we will not allow wastage of any
kind.