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Prismatic translation of Tatwamasi

Artist Seema Kohli's prismatic translation of Tatwamasi the Sanskrit phrase, "That Thou Art" is the cynosure of all eyes this week.
At the Amazon India Fashion Week 2017 by FDCI Director Sunil Sethi inaugurated and launched this prismatic composite structure of mirrors to unveil an uncanny synergy with contemporary artist Seema Kohli. Clad in orange hued tones of a boho chic ensemble Kohli was energized and happy that her work had been chosen to be part of this prestigious fashion event.
Over the past decade and half she has been working on core dictum and philosophies connected with the Vedas and the different conversations of the Womb of Creation and the Tree of Life that emanates different corollaries in contextual understanding of the vedas as she illustrates them on canvas in a series of work that have rippled references with yoginis stretching across her canvas trajectories.
When asked why she changed from bronze to mirrors as a medium she stated: "I took the idea from the beej mantra that seeks to speak about harmony and ultimate absolute peace. I created a pyramid with different mirrors and arranged it more or less like a prism to create multiple reflections of the other self. I feel that a work of art must question us and make us better humans-it must ask us questions that probe deeper hidden realities. Ultimately everything that the vedas and scriptures teach us is about knowing ourselves and finding deeper journeys within ourselves."
Entitled in its repository as a reflection of the other self this prismatic installation also asks us to ponder and look at ourselves-if we have a self that is pure, primordial and original; are we keeping ourselves pure and primordial in spirit and in our deeds? Are we going that step further to recreate an unblemished purity with good karmic endeavours and echoing what our shastras taught us to do? Are we thinking about serving society in multiple manifold ways even if it means offering a glass of water to a delivery boy? A host of questions surge through our minds as we see these mirrors that cut across time and space.
"Roots are important to any present. There is no growth without the roots," she elucidates.
"Every past constructs a present. In the contemporary world its the deconstruction of roots which has caused problems. If you see my work, it's based on ancient traditions and myths. I thrive on ancient scriptures of different faiths searching its relevance to present. Here I am expressing to cross over the boundaries, through mirrors, distorting our image and finding the image of the other to construct the real you. I have conceptualized an installation titled "Tatvamasi- The Other Self" derived from Vedic beej mantra. It expresses the basic concept of seeing one owns self in the other. As an artist, I felt the need to initiate harmony through different mediums of art. The installation consists of a prism of acrylic mirrors placed in a pyramid form, creating many images at the time of a spectator standing in front of the installation. Thereby recognizing the duality of their own image and personality and also accepting of the other. I feel in today's social scenario it is imperative that we celebrate ourselves in anotherand reflect oneself in another to create an interpersonal feeling of oneness and inclusiveness. My installation here highlights the basic concept of celebrating the other", she added.
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