#FaunaOfMirrors - An ancient myth and a curatorial premise

Varun Gupta, Co-founder of CPB, in conversation with Pushpamala N. In this discussion, she takes us through her curatorial process behind the second edition of the Chennai Photo Biennale.

'Fauna of Mirrors’ is an old Chinese myth that talks about an alternate universe that exists behind the mirror; another dimension which is home to unknown creatures.

I will argue around the myth to see the practice of photography as a mirror reflection of modern life, creating a parallel world of images- familiar yet strange, perhaps friendly and intimate, sometimes mysterious and hostile – but always magical. - Pushpamala N

Atul Bhalla is a conceptual artist working with environmental issues, particularly on water or more than two decades. Primarily using photography, the artist explores histories and associative meanings of sites of everyday living, building narratives through performance and many times using text as well.

CAMP is a collaborative studio set up by Ashok Sukumaran and Shaina Anand in 2007. It has been producing widely-exhibited new work in video and film, electronic media, and public art forms, sustaining long duration and sometimes large-scale artistic work.

Catherine Leutenegger is a visual artist based in Switzerland. She has won several awards, and her works photographs have been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions on the international scene.

Chan-Hyo Bae explores Culture, Prejudice and Stereotypes in his works. Since graduating from the Slade School of Fine Art in 2007, he has expressed in his work the feelings of cultural and emotional estrangement he experienced in the UK. 

Sheba Chhachhi’s lens-based works investigate contemporary questions about gender, the body, the city, cultural memory and eco-philosophy.

Sonia Jabbar is a writer, photographer, filmmaker and activist who has been associated with a number of people’s movements since 1990.