project 88

Project 88 is delighted to announce a new exhibition of Atul Bhalla, titled “…in another sweat”. The artist’s latest solo comprising sculptures, videos and photographs attempts to explain the interconnectivity of the city and the river, the mundane and the civic, the spiritual and the social – from pump houses on the Yamuna basin and pani wala’s in the city streets, to kawaria’s filling their jerry cans from the revered river while on a spiritual journey. The installations in this multilayered exhibition formed of taps, gleaming white tiles, sinks and mirrors provide another point of access through which one can enter into and traverse Atul’s ecological concerns. Interspersed throughout this narrative are images of the river and it’s surroundings shot in different seasons and times of day that provide breathing room and space to contemplate the issues at hand. The familiarity of the materials used and the reiterative nature of this body of work beguile the viewer to move beyond a superficial engagement and devote time to unravel the complexity of meaning that Atul alludes to - the exploration of the theme of water and its role within the urban environment.

In the past, as here, Atul has employed a multiplicity of images and narratives to draw the viewer’s attention to universal concerns of ecology, changes in the environment due to global climatic fluctuations, pollution, water, and the correlations between them. His work touches upon the pressures our modern and fast paced lives place upon overburdened and outdated water distributions systems in urgent need of renovation; his ongoing documentation of the neglect of traditional forms of water distribution, such as the piao’s of old Delhi, in favour of more modern conveniences; our dependence on and neglect of the river and the mounting catalogue of wrongs that are in dire need of being addressed. Explored through a variety of materials and media, these are just some of the subjects that have informed the artists’ practice for several years.

Born in 1964 Atul studied at the College of Art, New Delhi (B.F.A.) and Northern Illinois University, U.S.A. (M.F.A.). A short list of his solo exhibitions include ‘…Within/Without…’ Aicon Gallery, London (2008), ‘Remarking the River’ Anant Art Centre, Noida, New Delhi and Project 88, Mumbai (2007) and ‘IMMERSIONS’ Anant Art Gallery, New Delhi. He has participated in several residencies organized by Khoj including ‘48º’ (2008), ‘Eco+Art’ (2007), 'Dilli Dur Ast'- a month long residency within the old walled city of Delhi (2006), and ‘Black Box Exercise' (2006).

Atul lives and works in New Delhi