Many facets of our life and environment are at the edge of an undeniable crisis, whispering slowly, begging us to take notice before they dissolve into nothingness. Standing at the critical point of inflexion, where so much is under threat, it’s time we re-examine and understand our own existential crisis.

Aspiring to a new world of artificial intelligence, bio-technology, and augmented reality based on algorithms, we, humans, desire to dominate every element. The worldview of impermanence is a truth adhered to in several parts of Asia and so it follows that what is real is the existing moment, the present that is a product of the past, or a result of  causal action. In response ‘Villupt -Existence vs Extinction’ is an installation aiming to sensitize the modern human to examine one’s mind-body dichotomy, albeit in an provocative way. Through an allegorical representation in the form of fossils, this interactive artwork highlights the rampant extinction of species through generations. It raises an alarm on the ongoing paradigms of development and questions the monologues created by humans leading us to an impending crisis. The imprints are valuable evidence to the loss of species, and the theory of evolution provides us the missing links connecting art, ecology, archeology, with pedagogy.

As a catalyst, Nobina Gupta has been investigating and researching the innumerable infinite changes within microorganisms and organisms that go unnoticed, unacknowledged or unattended though simultaneously and silently existing with and within us. This work is in conversation with her other works, (a) ‘Beneath the Surface’ which is a reflection of this constant state of flux within which we survive; (b) ‘Whispering Tracks’  which reflects how unplanned developments, non-sustainable usage of natural resources, encroachment on wetlands, and the mismanagement of the Sundarbans, are drastically increasing loss through natural calamities. We have recently witnessed this loss through the ramifications of the ongoing pandemic and the recent devastating cyclones Amphan and Yaas. These projects echo a plea to sustain the much-required balance between humans and non-humans, environment, growth, and equity that will hopefully positively impact not just us but also the earth we inhabit.