A journey of senses

But that’s the thing about art, each one perceives it in a different way. Mayakkam Oxymore, an artistic collaboration between France and India was recently presented at the Ranga Shankara as part of the Bonjour India festival.

The piece combined technology and tradition which was beautifully blended with dance, painting and music.
The artists — Sangeeta (dance), Cyrile Brissot (computer musician) and Marko (graphic artist) come from diverse backgrounds but what brings them together is their approach to art.

Based on strong structures and precise technique, Mayakkam Oxymore, captured the audience from the start with the dancers fleeting images imprinted on the canvas which was produced through light, sound and movement.
The illusions created by the artistes spoke about various things, but in an abstract way it boiled down to gender issues and the roles that women played through time and age.
Sangeetha, along with her artistes, brought in dance forms ranging from Bharatanatyam, Kathak to west African and Cambodian styles and contemporary movements.
The piece dealt with sensitive issues of gender and the role of women through time and age.

Along with her team, she portrayed issues like landmine victims, sex workers, abused children and refugees.
“This concept came from thinking about what is reality and what is illusion. What’s inside your mind is your reality. And then I thought that this platform can be used to express my thoughts on issues. Like I had once done a show on how people should deal with AIDS. It’s art with social activism through innovation,” Sangeetha said.
The movements and expressions were perfectly sychnronised with Cyrille’s music and Marko’s contemporary art work.

Taking the audience on a journey of senses, the performance managed to strike an instant reaction to the present moment, emotion and reality.
DHNS