I want to start this new blog with one of the projects that sparked my continued interest in the idea unveiling layers and multiplicity. This project was conducted through an architectural studio as an underlying concept to be adapted to the design of an astronomical research center for the Jantar Mantar site in Jaipur, India. The focus of this set of photos is two-fold: perforations in the facade and a sort of intersection of shadows against multiple surfaces. At the time the two did not have anything in common, but were two personal interests that were worth exploring.
In Indian architecture, both traditional and modern, deep perforations for gaze and passage appear to be a common and often dominant characteristic of the exterior appearance of buildings. The shadows of large perforations are a huge contrast to the small screen-like perforations, as one appears massive yet elegant, while the other is small, starry and dream-like.
The second focus drew out of a fascination with shadows undergoing an intersection and distortion by other objects. When viewing the shadows cast on the measuring lines of the Jantar Mantar Instruments, especially that of the Jaiprakas (the bowl like instrument), I was intrigued by the relationship of the tic lines on the instruments which also intersected with the shadow line from the sun. Each line held its own set of information but also that each line meant something in reference to the others. What happens where these lines intersect? What information are we to take away from this? As the sun and shadows move, a different set of information is revealed. Together, these intersecting lines were more than geometric segments; they told the story of the day, days that passed, and days to come.
