Janaki Ramanathan

The set of artworks that are being displayed at this exhibition represent and portray the concept of science and technology, as well as recurring themes of cultural aspects. Specifically visualizing parts of the asian cultural places and animals symbolizing asian countries. My childhood was surrounded by people of my country and even the first language I learnt was my mother tongue. I have had such a strong influence on my perspective of the asian culture. I wanted to form a visual representation of the famous animals and architecture in Asia. I was intended to expose the ideal colors and concepts in a piece of art showing what these countries are known for. There is a famous quote by Stephen R. Covey, “Strength lies in differences, not in similarities”. Taking this as an inspiration during the process of creating my pieces I was inspired to diverge into different mediums and a different theme of culture. I have presented my personal interpretation of cultural traditions into creating an unique and creative perspective on traditional pieces. I researched inspirational artists, sketched out concepts, developed ideas for each piece to most accurately reflect the traditional perspective and feelings behind the piece. I based my artworks off of the theme science and technology. As representing the gist of the modern era, technological developments and another face to technology. Numerous art pieces in this exhibition portray the two sides of technology and the creativeness behind such diverse pieces. 

At times some feel there is not enough to portray their culture in different aspects. My art pieces of Mumtaz Palace, I want Bamboo, and Parade Elephant epitomizes the feeling of being culturally oriented and having a unique perspective on such cultures. In Mumtaz Palace the Taj Mahal represents the Indian architecture from centuries ago, while the GPS connects to the latest world of technology. Modern system locating the area of an olden architectural representation of India.  The lighter colors used in the piece show the purity of India, there is balck to outline and to provide emphasis to the Taj Mahal. Similarly, a panda looks friendly in “I want Bamboo” pieces because pandas are a symbol of friendship in China. The chinese lettering at the left hand side and the red stamped like signature at the upper right hand corner. On the other hand I created another Indian culturally oriented piece, with bright warm colors showing the true colors of india. An extremely colorful country full of tradition based along with ancient beliefs on certain animals, such as the elephant. Mandala designs are one of the most well known designs derived from that country as well.

As displayed in the exhibition my artworks are created through a variety of techniques used and mediums, such as digital, acrylic, pencil on paper, color pencil, chalk pastel, mixed media, and print. Through my beneficial research and thorough understanding of the technique, art styles, symbolic elements, and cultural stories behind the pieces. With the help of my practice in each medium I was able to produce the product that I wanted to accomplish. The pieces Electrifying Advancement, Inner Layering of Information, Enhancing Human Memory,  and Fusion of Three Generations all go along with the theme of Science and Technology. Each piece represents the modern era or a connection between the past world to the current state of the technological world. 

At the moment of viewing my exhibition I want the audience to feel the strong cultural connection between their own culture and/or the modern times of the world with so much fast and advanced technology. Interpreting the ideal truth of where this technology can lead the upcoming generation, positive effect or negative effect on the future of our upcoming and already arrived generations. The sense of understanding along with the newer perspective on these pieces and the cultures. The four artworks at the top row go along with the theme of technology as well as the one in the middle, Inner Layering of Information. The Parade Elephant and I want Bamboo pieces to be set on either side of the Inner Layering of Information because the two represent culture along with the Mumtaz Palace set as the third piece in the first row.