A new exhibition called ”Which Sky do Birds Fly” co-curated by Saloni Jaiwal and Manan Shah opened recently at Latitude 28 and included works from Deena Pindoria, Dola Shikder, Ipshita Maitra, Meenakshi Nihalani, Poorvi Sultania, Priyanka D’Souza, Salman Baba, Satyanarayana Gavara, Subrat Kumar Behera, Utpal Prajapati, Walter D’ Souza. Throughout history, place-making has been a fundamental part of our evolutionary process, as we establish a deep emotional connection to a location. This sense of affinity ultimately results in the formation of communities, as we discover commonalities and forge bonds with one another. The desire for a sense of connection to something or someone is referred to as Belonging. As we yearn for a sense of belonging, an innate desire emerges to have the ‘right to feel at home’ in a particular place. This gives rise to the politics of space and the quest to determine who truly belongs. Across the ages, there exists an abundance of tales recounting nations’ endeavours in acquiring and contesting land, space, and valuable resources such as plants and animals.

The online world, including social media, can be compared to a chaotic and uncertain realm, given the existence of unverified information and false claims.  The blending of inaccurate information with history is currently exerting a significant impact on people’s perception of their association with a particular location and era. Therefore, it is essential that we revisit both written and oral history from a contemporary standpoint that values the inclusion of diverse perspectives in the recording and dissemination of knowledge. This approach should be guided by a multicultural consciousness that befits a digital citizen of the global community. In that process, we will be able to have a better understanding of multiple kinds of belonging informed by social, cultural, political and ecological consciousness. In our society, where truth is often distorted, it is an undeniable truth that both humans and the incredible world of biodiversity are characterized by their constant movement, fluidity, and interconnectedness. A sense of belonging arises from the amalgamation of distinct entities and individuals. The civilizational process is established upon opposing forces, namely the dynamic of power and the force of empathy. Hegemonic cultures or structures utilize a sense of belonging in order to shape the politics of inclusion and exclusion. 

Man fighting with a bear by Subrat Kumar Behera. Image Courtesy: Latitude 28.

The exhibition aims to shed light on the evolving concepts of belonging in today’s culture, highlighting the profound impact they have on the politics of space, particularly against the backdrop of ongoing disputes over land ownership. Through the exploration of diverse perspectives, the artists delve into alternative histories that greatly influence our comprehension of identity, the battles for space, embodiment, and territorial rights. And the pursuit of territorial sovereignty. They challenge and defy dominant narratives that are presented as the sole source of knowledge, questioning how these narratives are controlled and mediated.

Violence and Peace by Deena Pindoria. Image Courtesy: Latitude 28.

Bhavna Kakkar responded on the selection process, “I think the curatorial process is both organic and structured. So in this space I’ve chosen some artists which I like, and I’ve been seeing their practice like Priyanka Dsouza, I’ve been seeing her work from years, and we’ve shown her in the past. She consistently creates these stunning pieces that I am always eager to showcase. We were engaged in a conversation about the concept of collaborating on a project. Saloni and Manan have shared their ardent desire to curate an extraordinary exhibition that revolves around the captivating themes of nostalgia and ecology. Their aim is to delve into the profound reflections these concepts evoke within their artworks. In that sense we started selecting the artists so some I recommended them and some of them were of completely by their choice then they got into touch with those whose work they have seen or maybe certain kind of work that fits into that particular kind of genre.”

How to Unromanticise the Anthropocene. Image Courtesy: Latitude 28.

Saloni, the co-curator told us, “The idea is of belonging and belongingness and how’s it important in current times. We decided to bring artists who are working for the concept of contestation of lands. And how in different periods of times civilization preceded, how people came together, and then they form groups, they form communities, and then they occupied that space. So what is that access to space and who decides who has what access to what space. So all the artists were looking into histories, alternative histories. This was my first curatorial show. It depends on how the dynamics between the curator and the artist and a group show includes conflicts and disputes as well but also a lot of discussion and when you think a lot because you’re dealing with different kinds of themes which are included in other kinds of works.

Across Hindu Kush North by Meenakshi Nihalani. Image Courtesy: Latitude 28.

How sky is limitless, there are no boundaries. Birds are migratory they go from one home to another home. Those are one of the species that migrate and cross different territories without any restrictions. Nobody is telling them to stop, and they can go anywhere so i would say that you could become a bird, because as digital citizens we are campaigning for something which has been happening for example, France, or Syria. We are campaigning for them, but we don’t live there. So we also find sense of belonging there. If i come with minority i came in solidarity with the other minority, and we also travel across a lot of places for example there are a lot of students coming here when they find a home here, a sense belonging and when they go back they feel kind of lost because they found another kind of home. Your original home might not be the home you wanted. And that’s how we came up with this title. Which sky do birds fly? sky is limitless and there are no conflicts and contestations. It’s free.”

Playing woman – 1 by Dola Shikder. Image Courtesy: Latitude 28.

Although the work revolves around the concepts of home and belonging, it is important to note that they are not solely focused on the idea of home, but rather on the broader idea of space. Humans often hold the belief that they have absolute dominion over every space. This is why numerous incidents occur wherein animals trespass onto what humans consider to be their territory. However, it is important to recognize that these areas were originally inhabited by these animals before humans intervened and claimed them as their own. So, that sense of access to the space or taking over the space and then you as a human also in a conflict over the spaces, over land and that also means the idea of belonging which is inherent in you. When you use something or when you attach yourself to something then, the sense of belonging comes to you so you attach yourself to the idea also. And that’s how nationalism comes up, citizenship also comes up. So, you start from the basic idea of belonging when you were born, and you attach yourself to your family or community.

Landscapes Series of 8 by Utpal Prajapati. Image Courtesy: Latitude 28

Our sense of connection, whether it is with a physical setting, the natural world, our inner emotions, or our interpersonal connections, shapes our perception and understanding of the world. In this narrative, we have observed an upsurge in territorial disputes driven by geopolitics, rooted in a deep sense of belonging and citizenship that taps into the realms of psychology and imagination. The challenges and impacts of the Anthropocene, primarily rooted in the colonial past, have led to the destruction of natural ecosystems. In this context, the dominant forces of urbanization and late capitalism have overridden the importance of preserving these habitats. However, it is important to acknowledge the existence of a deep connection between different species and the profound sense of unity that arises from shared experiences, resources, habitats, and environments.

Silence is the Loudest Sound by Ipshita Maitra. Image Courtesy: Latitude 28.

Belonging emerges from the intricate connections between various elements, encompassing objects, humans, plants, animals, the vast realm of biodiversity, culture, and the day-to-day rituals specific to a particular place. These interwoven relationships ultimately contribute to the creation and development of a sense of place. Nira Yuval-Davis, in her masterpiece “Politics of Belonging,” points out that our journey from globalization to the free market has led us to transcend geographical boundaries and embrace the interconnectedness of our social networks. As a result, we find ourselves belonging to multiple places at the same time. Within this narrative, we have witnessed a rise in territorial conflicts which are motivated by geopolitics creating multiple forms of citizenship and belonging. The concept of activist citizens elucidates the diverse forms of belonging that have arisen in modern times. Nowadays, activism can transcend borders and cultures, extending its influence both locally and internationally. This phenomenon blurs the lines between what is considered internal or external, within the boundaries of the state and beyond.

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