INFINITY IN A BOX

Interdisciplinary Artists Ikshit Pande and Jasmeet Kaur at sā Ladakh 2024

"Infinity in a Box," showcased at the second edition of Sā Ladakh - Asia's highest land art experience on climate, culture, and community, is an evocative land art installation by interdisciplinary artists Ikshit Pande and Jasmeet Kaur. Originating from Nainital and Ahmedabad respectively, Pande and Kaur utilize conceptual dress-making to weave thought-provoking narratives that blend body and the message. 

"Infinity in a Box" explores the intricate relationship between climate change, overtourism, and the majestic beauty of the Himalayas. The land-textile installation revolves around the intersection of hyper-consumerism, the carrying capacity of communities, and the geography of the majestic mountainscape that holds everything together. Ikshit Pande shared, "Our aim with 'Infinity in a Box' is to create a visual metaphor that encapsulates the stark contrasts between the perceived beauty of our environment and the hidden threats it faces. We hope to inspire a deeper understanding and dialogue around these urgent issues."

The installation features a glasshouse-like structure made of silk and local wood, elevated to a great height, with a suspended anatomical heart formation inside. This heart, adorned with handmade flowers, strings, and lacework (all from repurposed textile waste) symbolizes the weight of the landscape, burdened by landfills and overtourism. The iridescent silk covering the structure contrasts the superficially stunning exterior with the underlying environmental issues.

"Each time we visited this collaborative installation, with Leh and its mountain massive as canvas in the background, it was mesmerizing to see the work changing through the movement of the sun, clouds and the wind - it was always in motion, never still, beating vibrantly in the frequency of the landscape" says Raki Nikahetiya, Co-Founder, sā Ladakh.

The project emphasizes co-creation and community engagement. Developed on-site over a week, Pande and Kaur invited local communities and visitors to contribute materials and partake in the creation process, fostering a collective expression of concern and creativity.

Jasmeet Kaur added, "Engaging with the local community in creating this installation has been a profound experience. It reinforces the idea that art can be a powerful tool for awareness and change, bringing people together to address the environmental challenges we collectively face."

"Infinity in a Box" was displayed at Sā Ladakh 2024 from 1st - 10th June 2024