The sculptural barricades formed with rubber stamps carry names of people who’ve been denied visas to various countries on the basis of class, culture, nationality, religion, politics etc. The work approaches issues of global mobility, privilege and perceptions. On the one hand International travel is linked with aspirations, expectations, while on the other these are often bound with a wide set of restrictions and controls.
Even as cultures blend with a greater movement of people and information than any moment in human history, borders have become more controlled and monitored than ever before. In the ‘Colour Curtains’ each rubberstamp is clad in patterns with colours derived from various national flags, each carrying a name of a person who’s been denied a visa. What appear like barriers or festoons of refusal can also evoke garlands that are often used to welcome guests on arrival.
(Reena Kallat)