Mauli is a sacred thread that is tied by a priest on people’s wrists at the beginning of an Indian ritual. Hindus believe in Mauli to have the power to provide protection, positivity and happiness to its wearer. Hence even after the rite is complete, the thread is still worn as its presence in every ritual and everyday life has become a necessity for people. This explains the reason behind the thread being cherished and respected by individuals for many centuries.
Therefore my project is based on conveying the importance of Mauli to the viewers by evoking ‘wonder and resonance’ among them. The term wonder, occurs when an object on display has the power to capture the attention of the viewers due to its uniqueness. The second term, Resonance, occurs when the object is able to reach out to the audience and evoke in them the cultural forces from which it has emerged. In order to describe the experience of viewers when viewing objects on display, these two terms are utilized.
Hence, I want to create an experience for the viewers through my work in which they will view how the Mauli, taken out from its original environment, is able to resonate its meaning to the audience. This will help in creating a relationship between the artwork and the viewers as they will gain an understanding of the thread’s cultural significance that they were unaware of initially.
The artwork is an installation consisting of found and mundane objects that have been ‘infused’ with the presence of Mauli. The installation has been divided into three distinct groups and each of them resonate the belief of the sacred thread in the everyday. The objects have been collected from various areas around Singapore and act as a medium for me to explain the different characteristics and qualities of Mauli to the audience.
Along with the objects there are helpful explanatory texts as a part of the installation that explain the group the objects are in. There are a total of 190 objects in the installation.
In a world where various cultures are becoming more connected and globalized, it is essential to gain an insight into items that are a revered in those cultures. Therefore, the combination of Mauli with familiar mundane objects would firstly evoke its everyday presence in our lives and secondly, this combination would help the viewers to connect with the sacred thread as they will understand how Mauli as a part of the everyday, resonates its belief throughout people’s lives.
Therefore my project is based on conveying the importance of Mauli to the viewers by evoking ‘wonder and resonance’ among them. The term wonder, occurs when an object on display has the power to capture the attention of the viewers due to its uniqueness. The second term, Resonance, occurs when the object is able to reach out to the audience and evoke in them the cultural forces from which it has emerged. In order to describe the experience of viewers when viewing objects on display, these two terms are utilized.
Hence, I want to create an experience for the viewers through my work in which they will view how the Mauli, taken out from its original environment, is able to resonate its meaning to the audience. This will help in creating a relationship between the artwork and the viewers as they will gain an understanding of the thread’s cultural significance that they were unaware of initially.
The artwork is an installation consisting of found and mundane objects that have been ‘infused’ with the presence of Mauli. The installation has been divided into three distinct groups and each of them resonate the belief of the sacred thread in the everyday. The objects have been collected from various areas around Singapore and act as a medium for me to explain the different characteristics and qualities of Mauli to the audience.
Along with the objects there are helpful explanatory texts as a part of the installation that explain the group the objects are in. There are a total of 190 objects in the installation.
In a world where various cultures are becoming more connected and globalized, it is essential to gain an insight into items that are a revered in those cultures. Therefore, the combination of Mauli with familiar mundane objects would firstly evoke its everyday presence in our lives and secondly, this combination would help the viewers to connect with the sacred thread as they will understand how Mauli as a part of the everyday, resonates its belief throughout people’s lives.
Everyday Resonance: Security
The Mauli is thought to provide security and protection to its wearer. Therefore, the items used in this group define the Mauli as a shield against any negativity or harm. Items such as locks, keys and other such objects which can provide security and protection are combined with the sacred thread to resonate its symbolism and importance in the everyday.
There are a total of 101 objects of variable dimensions
The Mauli is thought to provide security and protection to its wearer. Therefore, the items used in this group define the Mauli as a shield against any negativity or harm. Items such as locks, keys and other such objects which can provide security and protection are combined with the sacred thread to resonate its symbolism and importance in the everyday.
There are a total of 101 objects of variable dimensions
Everyday Resonance: Present Reminder
The group, Present Reminder incorporates the Mauli with objects which are modern and technological. Therefore their combination resonates how both technology and the sacred thread are an inevitable part of our daily lives. Also, this group conveys how even in this modern world, a traditional object such as the Mauli is still prevalent as its repeated use will only help in the growth of the thread’s beliefs.
In order to resonate Mauli’s significance to be present in daily life, adaptors, cables and other modern appliances are used in Present Reminder.
There are a total of 71 objects of variable dimensions
The group, Present Reminder incorporates the Mauli with objects which are modern and technological. Therefore their combination resonates how both technology and the sacred thread are an inevitable part of our daily lives. Also, this group conveys how even in this modern world, a traditional object such as the Mauli is still prevalent as its repeated use will only help in the growth of the thread’s beliefs.
In order to resonate Mauli’s significance to be present in daily life, adaptors, cables and other modern appliances are used in Present Reminder.
There are a total of 71 objects of variable dimensions
Everyday Resonance: Daily Spirituality
Daily Spirituality resonates how the beliefs of Mauli such as providing protection, calmness and positivity are also present in the different culturally significant objects depicted in the group. Hence, the sacred thread and the objects’ spiritual nature are interlinked together.
The spiritual nature of the objects and Mauli have the ability to enlighten one’s own self as each object used helps in bringing a person closer to his/her being. Therefore, the combination of the sacred thread and the other ritual items resonate the meaning of spirituality to its users.
Also, the objects used in Daily Spirituality are different from the other groups as their daily use for many centuries has resulted in the gain of high meaning and value. This reverence helps in reinforcing the belief for the objects to always be present in every ritual and in people’s daily lives.
There are a total of 18 objects of variable dimensions
Daily Spirituality resonates how the beliefs of Mauli such as providing protection, calmness and positivity are also present in the different culturally significant objects depicted in the group. Hence, the sacred thread and the objects’ spiritual nature are interlinked together.
The spiritual nature of the objects and Mauli have the ability to enlighten one’s own self as each object used helps in bringing a person closer to his/her being. Therefore, the combination of the sacred thread and the other ritual items resonate the meaning of spirituality to its users.
Also, the objects used in Daily Spirituality are different from the other groups as their daily use for many centuries has resulted in the gain of high meaning and value. This reverence helps in reinforcing the belief for the objects to always be present in every ritual and in people’s daily lives.
There are a total of 18 objects of variable dimensions