India at the Venice Biennale: Amin Jaffer and Five Artists Redefining 'Home'

India marks its return to the 61st Venice Art Biennale after a seven-year absence, under the curation of Amin Jaffer. The Indian pavilion will present the theme "Geographies of Distance: remembering home," exploring the shifting definitions of home and belonging in our hyper-connected and constantly moving world. This concept, influenced by migration, cultural exchange, and landscape transformations, renders the idea of "home" more fluid than ever. To reflect India's vast and diverse identity, the pavilion will feature works by five artists: Alwar Balasubramaniam (Bala), Sumakshi Singh, Ranjani Shettar, Asim Waqif, and Sonam Skarma Tashi, whose practices collectively express the complexity of contemporary India. In this interview, curator Amin Jaffer delves into the conceptual vision behind this ambitious project.

The Genesis of a Theme: From Individual Inspiration to Collective Vision

Jaffer explains that Sumakshi Singh was the first artist to inspire the theme, with her ability to transform fragile materials like thread into powerful expressions of the human condition in India. Her project, 33 Link Road, invites introspection on origins and life changes, serving as the conceptual core of the pavilion. The curator then expanded the concept of "home" to include the representation of land and landscape. Sonam Skarma Tashi's work, for example, broadens the perspective to the community and the impacts of technological change and lifestyles on vast geographical areas. Asim Waqif, in contrast, serves as a counterpoint, focusing not on "home" but on the inevitability of change: his installation, depicting scaffolding, symbolizes modernity and physical renewal, contrasting with the reflections on the past and land by Sumakshi, Ranjani, and Bala. The aim is to remind that change is constant, with the artists exploring the past, present, and future of "home" and the environment.

A Cohesive Collective: Collaboration Across Distances

Although the artists work individually in different parts of India, Jaffer selected their works for a natural aesthetic and conceptual dialogue, asking each to develop projects related to the curatorial theme. The curator emphasizes the importance of team cohesion: a meeting in Venice fostered a strong bond and respect among the artists. Despite the challenges of a collective exhibition in a limited space, the artists actively collaborated, even through a group chat, demonstrating mutual commitment in preparing the exhibition, catalog, and events. The goal is to present India on the contemporary stage in a coherent and unified manner.

New Creations and Ambitious Endeavors

Most of the works are new commissions: projects by Asim Waqif, Sonam Skarma Tashi, and Ranjani Shettar are entirely new. Alwar Balasubramaniam's work is newly created but inspired by previous pieces, while Sumakshi Singh integrated two existing works into her new project. Jaffer expresses particular satisfaction with the artists' commitment, noting that they exceeded expectations by creating works of great significance.

Sonam Skarma Tashi: A Young Artist's Eye-Opening Journey

Jaffer confirms that Sonam Skarma Tashi is the youngest of the artists and that this significant Biennale commission offered him a unique opportunity. The experience of exhibiting in Venice and engaging with other senior artists inspired Tashi to create an extremely ambitious and impressive project, exceeding expectations. For Tashi, as it was his first time outside India, participating in the Biennale was an eye-opening experience that maximized his creative abilities.

Embracing Plurality: Redefining Indian Identity Through Materials

Jaffer states that the pavilion is entirely dedicated to Indian identity, but with a non-literal approach. He chose artists who work with materials intrinsically linked to Indian civilization for millennia—such as thread, terracotta, papier-mâché, and bamboo—but who reinterpret them in a contemporary key. The goal is to showcase a modern India, capable of re-elaborating its rich traditions to express relevant messages today. All five artists, with their original and entirely handmade works, embody this vision, using indigenous "technologies and techniques" to present something uniquely Indian yet innovative on the global art scene, challenging preconceived notions about India.

A Universal Message: Home in a Changing World

Amin Jaffer hopes the Biennale will convey the message of India as a historical civilization with vibrant contemporary expression. On a deeper level, he wants every visitor to reflect on the nature of "home": is it a physical place or a more fluid condition defined by language, rituals, cuisine, and relationships? This question is particularly relevant for India, given its rapid economic and demographic growth leading to continuous spatial and social transformations, and the intensification of both internal and international migration. Jaffer, inspired by his own experience in the Indian diaspora and how his family maintained ties with India through traditions and rituals, emphasizes that identity can persist even when geography changes. Cultural elements like food (Ghar ka Khaana - homemade food), music, and traditional textiles play a crucial role in maintaining connection to ancestral origins. Although the pavilion has a distinctly Indian imprint, the curator intended its theme to be universal, inviting anyone, regardless of their background, to contemplate the concept of home in a rapidly evolving world. The project, while rooted in India's specific condition, addresses universal issues that all humanity is experiencing due to technology, demographic shifts, and lifestyles.