M3: male, male, manly Exhibition in Dakshinachitra | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The intersection of masculinity, toxic masculinity, patriarchy, and generational trauma hangs over society like an unspoken sentence. But how does one deal with these thoughts? What are the overlaps born of these intersections? DakshinaChitra’s latest exhibition offers an artistic way into understanding these complexities.
Presented by the Goethe Institute/Max Müller Bhawan, M3: Man, Male, Masculine begins with a quote from the novel by American-Vietnamese refugee-turned-writer Ocean Vung. on earth we are gorgeous in a nutshell (2019). It says: “Don’t mistake us for the fruits of violence”. Curator Vidisha Fadescha explains Vuong’s approach, “We are war refugees, but we are not necessarily recognized as just that, even though we are growing up in a patriarchal society. There are other experiences that have made me a Made a humble and caring person.
The exhibition is a collection of expressions by artists Renuka Rajeev, Sohil Bhatia, Anurag Minus Verma, Javed Sultan, Sandeep Kuriakose and Ashfika Rehman.
Vidisha explains, “The curatorial text ends with a quote from Bell Hooks who says that the men we must remember are those who stand up against violence. Masculinity can be something that is not toxic. There is toxic masculinity but men are not necessarily those people, they can also stand against it.
Tsohil Bhatia’s Mera Ghar (Five Days Celebration) There is an installation by the artist (depicted through pictures) where they build a house from scratch over time. The house is left unfinished, leaving it open to interpretation. A small plant with bright yellow flowers leaning towards the light adds tenderness to the artist. Vidisha continues, “Sohil says that patriarchy is about the assertion of normative cultures as a way of suppressing others. When the state offers you to be a patriot, you are adopting that form of masculinity and your They are not taking anyone else forward with them.
tasohil bhatia My Home (five days festival)
, Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Anurag Minus Varma’s Dalit Masculinity is largely an assemblage of clips from Tamil popular culture. Suriya in debuting with Rajinikanth’s films Jai BheemArya Inn Sarpatta Parambarai And the comic portrayal of Rajpal Yadav in Bollywood films reflects the many ways in which pre-conceived images of masculinity enter the subconscious mind of the masses.
Anurag minus Verma’s Dalit masculinity
, Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Javed Sultan kinship photos There is a combination of pictures from several protests where the men look on in rebellious enthusiasm. Thus focusing on the display aspect of masculinity in the presence of other women. The work also emphasizes that in a toxic macho society, a man can still stand against violence.
Javed Sultan kinship photos
, Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The exhibition is a celebration of all kinds of masculinity that don’t necessarily fit the textbook definition of the word. Each work is a celebration of disrespect for socially constructed gender roles and gifts: one that subverts power from patriarchal institutions of oppression.
The exhibition of Dakshina Chitra is on till December 17 in the Kadambari gallery.,