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Amrik
Chhokran's exhibition of photography 'Bollywood
Dreams' aims to be the purest form of distraction
and escapism for its audience. Using influences
from Pop Art, Dada, Surrealism, Film, Bollywood,
Music, Popular Culture and Hindu Philosophy Chhokran's
work digitally manipulates images using layers,
montage, collage and text over images using the
latest in computer technology.
The
artist explains further, "my exhibition explores
the Bollywood film industry which proved the purest
form of distraction / escapism for its audience.
Many of these films are "stuff of dreams"
with their highly unrealistic storylines."
The
Mumbai (Bombay) industry is a prolific dream machine
- it is amazing to find more than 800 films a
year are released. These films tend to be spectacular
melodramatic fantasies, containing a variety of
ingredients - action, violence, music, dance,
romance and moralising. Although dismissed as
escapist, plenty of these movies get their narrative
drive from social issues like communalism, ethnicity
and caste. Many also address the effects of modernisation
and urbanisation on traditional Indian institutions
such as the family and marriage.
Amrik
Chhokran's exhibition investigates the industry,
Bollywood film stars, popular movies and what
influences viewers to watch these films. The digital
images are large and varied in size and consist
of vivid colours to create powerful images and
draw the viewers' attention.
I
have explored the above issues and themes by incorporating
them in my digitally manipulated images for example
by using layers, montage, collage, text over images
by using several computer software packages. Through
digital manipulation my work attempts to creative
thought provoking, creative and interesting images.
With
an MA in Visual Communications from the University
of Central England, (Gosta Green)and a BA (Hons)
in Art and Design from University of Central England,
(Bournville), Chhokran has perfected her art over
these past six years.
Bollywood
Dreams Exhibition - Tour Schedule
|
DATE
|
VENUE
|
| 4
May - 4 June 2002 |
Charnwood
Arts Centre
31 Granby Street, Loughborough,
Leicestershire, LE11 3DU
Tel: 01509 822558 |
| 10
May - June 2002 |
Nehru
Art Centre
8 South Audley Street
London, W1K 1HF
Tel: 020 7491 3567 |
| 23
May - 16 June 2002 |
Waterman's
Art Centre
40 High Street, Brentford
Middlesex, TW8 ODS
Tel
020 8568 1176
|
| 21
Sept - 10 Nov 2002 |
Cartwright Hall Art Gallery
(Part of the 'Bollywood in love' exhibition)
Lister Park,
Bradford, BD9 4NS
Tel 01274 751212 |
| 15
Oct - 24 Nov 2002 |
Watershed
Media Centre
1 Canon's Road, Harbourside
Bristol, BS1 5TX
Tel 0117 927 6444 |
| 4
Nov - 30 Nov 2002 |
Darlington
Arts Centre
Vane Centre, Vane Terrace
Darlington, DL3 7AX
Tel 01325 486555 |
| 16
Nov 2002 - 1 May 2003 |
Midlands
Arts Centre,
Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston Road, Birmingham,
B12 9QH
Tel 0121 440 3838 |
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