‘The Mirror Sees Best in the Dark’
Bose Krishnamachari
“I often stood in front of the mirror alone, wondering how ugly a person could get.”
– Charles Bukowski
How truly can we perceive ourselves when we look in the mirror? Bose Krishnamachari in his exhibition ‘The Mirror Sees Best in the Dark’ Emami Art gallery, believes that the mirror lures us and acquires our obsessions, be it at relationships, faith, politics or even in our communities.
Bose, one of the most political artists in India, has overtly talked about his fear of the state of the country. ‘Mirror Sees Best in the Dark’ is a mirror held before society, a reminder in this surge of chaos, to reflect upon our obsessions, narcissism, fanaticism, extremities with some superficial, yet deep-rooted components of our identity such as religion, caste, nationality, race and so on. A toxic obsession that identifies itself in a polarised society, but with this pandemic, such qualms should stand insignificant considering above all else the value of human life. Perhaps as we look through this mirror of what once was, it is necessary to ponder on how we can move forward in bettering our society.
Bose’s recent oeuvre is an exciting exploration of a gamut of materials like paper, wood, metal, graphite, glass, ceramic and neon light. Words such as God, Religion, Racism, Casteism, Regionalism, Technology, Capitalism, Nationalism and Narcissism are carved, engraved, projected using the traditional Kerala mirror in hopes to better reveal in times of darkness.
A man playing many roles, Bose Krishnamachari is an artist, curator, art writer, educator and the co-founder of Kochi-Muziris Biennale. One of the internationally acclaimed artists of the country, Bose has exhibited at some of the major venues in the globe. His seminal solo and group shows include Bombay Maximum City, Lille 3000, Lille (2006) and Gateway Bombay at the Peabody Essex Museum (2007). Bose completed his graduation and post-graduation from Sir J J School of Art (1986-1991), Mumbai and Goldsmiths College, University of London (1999-2000) respectively.
