Before the Sun

For me, viewing Karthik Pandian’s exhibit “Before the Sun” was like drinking wine. I like the initial smell of it, even though it isn’t like anything I’ve ever smelled before, but upon tasting it I just can’t yet appreciate the depth of flavor. I know there are connoisseurs out there who do, but I am not yet one of them. Although this is all true, I can appreciate the complexity of the design.

When you enter the exhibit, you walk through a door that is covered to as to not let light in. Once through the door and your eyes adjust to the darkness, you can make out two 16mm projectors playing film that is being shot into opposite corners of the room. One projector shows film of a sunrise, with people walking in and out of the shot, while the other shows a sunset. What isn’t very apparent is that the projectors are housed in glass cases that are grounded in great big blocks of compressed earth, which was brought in by dump trucks. There is also the last thing to notice, and that is that the film leaves the top of the projectors, weaves through a grid of magenta twine on the ceiling, and feeds back into the projector to make a loop. This twine grid is the same type that can be found at archeological digs.

The mix of archeological structures, mounds of dirt positioned in the four cardinal directions, and film of the sun harkens to a relationship between the modern world and our ancient histories. Panadian, in this work, is making us question if we really have a solar unconscious.

What I think works best in this exhibit is the great squares of compressed earth. They touch on the senses that would be lost if it were film alone. Film gives us ear and eye stimulation, but the earth plays to our sense of smell and touch as well. When you can feel the earth beneath your feet, it really helps with the experience. The fact that the squares of dirt are so close to the edges of the room also add to the experience, for it makes you feel high up, like you are actually on top of this mountain, watching the sunset/sunrise. There is no where to go but up, as if you are reaching the top of the mountain. If the room were bigger and the squares the same height, it would flatten out the whole exhibit, making it feel grounded and less engaging.

I also appreciated how Pandian played with the film, but also let it lend itself to his exhibit automatically. The archeological dig noises dubbed over the footage definitely gave a different feeling than if it was just birds chirping and dogs barking. As for the film itself, the way it runs over the twine and disintegrates over time lends itself to the overall connections between modernity and forgotten societies.

So, to conclude, there is much to be discovered and pondered at the Pandian exhibit. To fully appreciate it, you have to take time to get used to it. It’s not all going to jump at you and scream the purpose. It is meant to be thought over.

The exhibit runs from September 18 to November 6, 2010.