New York
“A river runs through it” could be the subtitle for Vibha Galhotra’s recent exhibition inspired by the Yamuna River, a legendary tributary of the sacred Ganges, which is also one of the world’s most polluted waterways. Tapestry-like constructions, sculptures, an installation, and a film all continue Galhotra’s examination of the effects of globalization and development by focusing on the critical role of water in daily life, not just in the artist’s native India and hometown of Delhi, but for all of us. The Yamuna is featured in Manthan, a short film that served as the show’s conceptual center. Taken from Samudra Manthan, Sanskrit for “churning the ocean,” the title refers to the well-known Hindu myth in which the gods (Devas) and the demons (Asuras) roil the river’s waters to obtain Amrita, the nectar of immortality. Reimagining this myth for contemporary times, the film begins somewhat romantically with the camera slowly panning the river, lingering on its shimmering light. …see the entire review in the print version of June’s Sculpture magazine.
