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Kinky Kashayam, the artistic brainchild of Shashwath Santosh and Nithin Eluvathingal, isn't your average design studio. Based between New York City and Toronto, this duo has carved a unique niche for themselves as an “experimental playground for South Asian imagination and identity”. Their artistic compass spins wildly, encompassing history, science, technology, and even humor, all with a healthy dose of social commentary.
Kinky Kashayam positions itself as a team of “researchers of human stories.” They delve into the quirks and curiosities of everyday life; particularly those specific to the South Asian experience. Their art isn't just aesthetically pleasing; it's a mirror reflecting the realities of society and is presented in a way that resonates deeply with South Asian audiences.
Their latest project takes a familiar sight and injects it with a healthy dose of questions – the 'Aarti Machine'. These electric contraptions, readily available in the market, promise a convenient and automated way to perform aarti, a daily ritual of worship involving light, prayer, and offerings.
Kinky Kashayam doesn't shy away from the inherent curiosity one has in this machine-driven devotion. Imagine the rhythmic clang of bells and the steady beat of a drum, traditionally played by a human hand, replaced by the whirring of an electric motor. The very act of outsourcing such a personal and spiritual practice to a machine becomes the subject of their artistic inquiry.
But Kinky Kashayam doesn't stop at mere observation. Their work compels the viewer to participate in the conversation. By presenting this automated aarti machine, they prompt us to question the evolving nature of faith and tradition. Is convenience taking precedence over devotion? Are we losing a vital connection to our rituals by delegating them to machines?
The beauty of Kinky Kashayam's approach lies in its subtlety. Their work isn't a judgmental diatribe against modernization. Instead, they use humor and a touch of absurdity to nudge us towards introspection. As South Asians, regardless of our religious background, the sight of this machine likely evokes a sense of familiarity. The rhythmic sounds it produces might even trigger a memory, a fragment of a childhood spent amidst the murmur of prayers and the gentle clanging of bells.
Kinky Kashayam's 'Machines that Help us Worship' series isn't just about the aarti machine. It's about the complex relationship we have with tradition, the tension between convenience and devotion, and the ever-evolving nature of faith in a rapidly changing world. They remind us that sometimes, the most profound questions are sparked by the most ordinary objects and that a little nudge of curiosity can pave the way for some serious contemplation.
