Untitled work by Chou Meng-Yeh, produced at Khoj Kolkata (2006)

The 2006 International Artists Workshop, was held in Kolkota in Baruipur, which is a suburb on the southern fringes of the city rapidly being engulfed in the urban sprawl. The 24 participating artists were invited to respond to the site of Chaudhari Bari of Baruipur, a sprawling structure set amidst extensive gardens suspected to be constructed in the latter half of the 19th century. The building essentially follows the pattern of a residential dwelling with an introverted courtyard, several traditional arches and columns represent the aspirations and status of affluent families of the era. Describing her work in the Khoj Kolkata 2006 Catalogue (2007), Chou Meng-Yeh states, “There exists a wall// An invisible wall between us// We try to pass through// All our life// Even we know it will never happen// In reality >> How to measure the distance// Between here and there // Between there and here // Between the human beings // Between a friend and a stranger // Between an understanding a misunderstanding // Between love and hate.”