Labyrinths by Karan Sher Singh

Labyrinths by Karan Sher Singh

19-21 November 2010, 11.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m
Gallery Romain Rolland, Alliance Francaise de Delhi 

i drew myself a labyrinth once,
to capture my imagination.
alas, it was not as twisted as my thoughts,
they got out!
Karan Sher Singh was born and raised largely in Delhi. His mother Polu was an accomplished sculptor and his father Rummy told fantastic stories. Inheriting both passions but the talent for neither he did the next best thing and aspired to be a human cannonball but crash landed into computer science at IIT Madras, where he discovered that mathematical equations could paint a picture as beautiful as any brush. He is currently a professor of Computer Science at the University of Toronto, where he co-directs a reputed graphics and interaction lab, DGP. He works at the intersection of art and science where the paint meets the polynomial and was a lead architect on the animation software, Maya. His interactive tools have been used on a number of film projects, including the 2005 Oscar winning animation film “Ryan”. He lives between Delhi and Toronto with his two tweezles Anouck and Mastani. This exhibition on labyrinths marks a 5 year milestone of an ongoing personal journey through the fascinating world of labyrinths and mazes.

Labyrinths cradle millennia of legend and lore in their twisted articulations and are often considered mankind's first creation born purely of human imagination. A nexus of spirituality, culture, art and science, the origins of these structures is shrouded in the same mystery they symbolize. The organic labyrinths of this exhibition are indeed created with curves evolving under these forces of nature, guided by a mix of images, music and words but above all, an artistic hand. The choice of subjects is in many ways an autobiographical journey. 

…abstract forms from the subconscience. …portraits inspired by a life-long obsession with music, the labyrinths winding their way from start to finish like grooves on vinyl. …themes anchored to roots in India, others, nomadic forays around the globe. …inspirations wandering through the infinite space of algorithmic parameters with some creative vision and mathematical intuition.  

These labyrinths capture details ranging from microscopic to planetary, engaging a viewer at many distances, each providing a unique perspective. The paths themselves encode a chronology, be it a story, lyric or melodic progression.  

Experience them!

For more information, please email at  acarsignol@hotmail.com