Reena Saini Kallat: Deep Rivers Run Quiet

Reena Saini Kallat's art explores the tension between barriers and mobility, focusing on the impact of national and geopolitical borders on identity and self-image. She uses electric cables and hybrid creatures to subvert these boundaries and promote a pluralism of cultures.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 120 pages
Publication date: 03 August 2023
Publisher: Hatje Cantz

Reena Saini Kallats artistic practice revolves around the interplay between the concept of barriers and the dynamic world shaped by mobility and interaction. Her work delves into the divisive narratives surrounding national and geopolitical borders, examining their profound impact on individuals' identity and self-image, as well as the broader social and psychological barriers they create. Kallat's artistic approach emphasizes the notion that barriers can be overcome and subverted, manifested through her use of electric cables twisted to resemble barbed wire. She juxtaposes the paradox of technology's ability to facilitate free flow of information while simultaneously restricting movement, challenging the rigidity of national narratives.

In her artistic practice, Kallat employs the figure of the hybrid to symbolize the defiance of dividing lines. She creates hybrid organisms by merging animals and plants that hold significant cultural significance to different nations, highlighting the inherent resilience of nature against the violent cleaving of land and nature. The motif of the river, which serves as both a border and a lifeline to both sides, becomes a central theme in Kallat's work, emphasizing the interconnectedness and fluidity of human societies.

Through her artwork, Kallat challenges the notion of isolation and encourages a pluralistic embrace of diverse cultures. She invites viewers to contemplate the complexities and contradictions inherent in national narratives and to recognize the interconnectedness of humanity across borders. By highlighting the permeability of boundaries and the transformative power of cross-cultural exchange, Kallat's work encourages a reimagining of our understanding of identity, belonging, and the potential for harmonious coexistence in a globalized world.

Dimension: 280 x 230 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783775754873