#BareItAll - Men in Sustainability Awareness Campaign (Part 1)
Through our campaigns on sustainability awareness and previously #Masked, we did meet some of the coolest people in and around Bangalore. Quite a unique experience, we must say. When we thought of our recent campaign for Valentine’s Day we had myriad ideas on whom we should project or from which professions. Should we just stick to artists or go beyond that? But yes, one thing was common in all of them - their shared passion for sustainability. This blog is about one such person whom we couldn’t get to meet in person though due to tight schedules from both ends. Even though a photo shoot was scheduled, it didn’t happen as the timings didn’t work out for anyone. But, does that stop us from knowing such a talented personality? And not just knowing, but exploring his style, philosophy and work process.
All of the communication happened just through mail. Thank God for the Internet! Life is so much easier in this era and yes, the people from all over the world are getting closer.
Sandilya Theuerkauf
© Manush John / Courtesy KYNKYNY.com
Sandilya Theuerkauf
© Manush John / Courtesy KYNKYNY.com
Meet Sandy or Sandilya Theuerkauf, brought up in rural Kerala, in the presence of a hilly rainforest. When we first received his photos from Anishaa Taraporvala, Founder at Monsoon Malabar, we were completely dumbfounded looking at his work. They were of some other level. It can very well be understood where he draws his inspirations from. Having been brought up in rural Kerala amid streams, wildlife and forests, it’s hard not get inspired from. He now lives and works on the outskirts of Bangalore. In the Deccan scrublands, thorns - his muse and primary raw material abound, forming an invisible protective barrier around the shrubs, plants and trees, keeping beasts at bay! Bringing into focus these often concealed and usually unseen elements of the natural work, Theuerkauf creates complex intricate assemblages - unique tapestries woven thickly with thorns. The thorns are mounted densely on wooden planks and surfaces to create singular patterns, playing both with form and texture.
Sandilya Theuerkauf
© Manush John / Courtesy KYNKYNY.com
Theuerkauf notes that, for him, making art is very physical, requiring an engagement of his whole body with the land he inhabits. This is reflected in his works, that begin from his climbing, walking and observing and move towards collection, deliberation and creation. We also had a few questions for Sandy, the ritual as we do for every collaborator.
1) Tell us about yourself and what you're truly passionate about?
The earth, my physical surroundings, the landscape, everything that makes up a place, and my role in it. If I can call it a passion, this is what I can point to. In more simple terms – nature and the outdoors. I realised from a young age that this is the direction I want to take. It started with natural history but slowly turned towards something else. It became more about what is my relationship with everything that is non human. In a time where humans are obliterating everything in this world, it seems that we need something other than knowledge and intellect to address the crisis that we now witness. Knowledge has its place but I don't want that to be the basis for how I process the incredible beauty and diversity that there is all around us. It has to be about something else, and that I could say is my passion. The years passed have been about discovering and sharing a philosophy and thinking about this relationship. My debut exhibition A Trail of Thorns with KYNKYNY.com is to do with this.
2) What is the favourite part of your profession?
I have made what I think is art since I was a child. There has always been an inner compulsion to create in keeping with the life that flourishes around me - creating with mud and sticks, water and stones, feathers and flowers. The process is very physical and my work calls upon my whole body to engage with the land I inhabit. This engagement has been through climbing, walking, swimming, listening, observing and creating using my hands. These, and many others, have been my ways of knowing. This kind of relating to my surroundings is what stays with me, creating memories that hold my body to the places I inhabit.
3) Why, in your personal case, should we care about sustainability and zero-waste?
Anyone who cares deeply about this earth that we live in, and who has knowledge of the impact of their lifestyle, will act from that affection. Then it's not about justification or sacrifice or about guilt and needing to prove anything. When something is part of one's life, it has to make sense to the whole of life and not just an isolated action. If I care I will act. How do I bring about care in my life? Action has to stem from a deeper understanding.
Photo Courtesy: © Manush John / Courtesy KYNKYNY.com