"India – Point of View"
Fotogalerie Berlin - Friedrichshain
Helsingforser Platz 1, 10243 Berlin
"So far as I am able to judge, nothing has been left undone, either by man or nature, to make India the most extraordinary country that the sun visits on his rounds. Nothing seems to have been forgotten, nothing overlooked."
Mark Twain\ Following the Equator
Varda Carmeli's exhibition presents photographs taken in her journeys to India in the years 2008-2009.
India is overwhelming - observing its varied geography and nature or its intriguing population - every aspect of the country presents itself on a massive, exaggerated scale. With nearly one billion citizens, it is impossible to speak of any one Indian culture. India has fourteen official languages (English being the major language of trade and politics), twenty four languages that are spoken by a million people or more, and countless dialects. India has seven major religions (Hinduism being the major one) and many minor ones. Whichever sect, religion is very dominant in people's lives and its practice can be seen in virtually every aspect of life. Humanity presents itself here in a dizzying, creative burst of diversity and yet there are deep cultural continuities that tie the country's people together.
Varda Carmeli's photographs of India extract the essence of moments – moments of self being or social interaction that intrigued her. These moments occur in sceneries almost surreal creating an aesthetic composition verging on a dream. The photographs, although corresponding with the snapshot tradition, do not reflect temporariness rather observe and preserve time and continuity which are enfolded in the moment. The constellation of photographs unfolds a wholesome view - Varda Carmeli's intimate point of view of India.
