At Asia’s highest contemporary land art Biennale, QUOD’s Ikshit Pande and Jasmeet Kaur use textile to make a point

Showcased at the second edition of Sā Ladakh–Asia’s highest contemporary land art Biennale focusing on themes of climate, culture and community–Infinity in a Box is an evocative land art installation by interdisciplinary artists Ikshit Pande and Jasmeet Kaur. Hailing from Nainital and Ahmedabad respectively, Pande and Kaur utilise conceptual dress-making to weave thought-provoking narratives that blend the human body and its external environment and explores the intricate relationship between climate change, overtourism and the majestic beauty of the Himalayas.

The land-textile installation highlights issues like hyperconsumerism, the carrying capacity of communities and the geography of the magnificent mountainscape that holds everything together. Ikshit Pande, founder of QUOD, shares, “Our aim with Infinity in a Box is to create a visual metaphor that encapsulates the stark contrasts between the perceived beauty of our environment and the hidden threats it faces.”

The installation features a glasshouse-like structure, made of silk and local wood, standing tall and solitary on a mountain. Within this structure hangs a suspended anatomical heart adorned with handmade flowers, strings and lacework, all made from repurposed textile waste. This heart symbolises the weight borne by the scenery that surrounds it as it is burdened by landfills and overtourism. Meanwhile, the iridescent silk covering the structure represents the superficially stunning exterior that hides these underlying environmental issues.

“Each time we visited this collaborative installation, with Leh and its mountain massive as canvas in the background, it was mesmerizing to see the work changing with the movement of the sun, clouds and the wind. It was always in motion, never still, beating vibrantly in the frequency of the landscape,” notes Raki Nikahetiya, co-founder of Sā Ladakh.

Developed on-site over a week, the project also emphasises co-creation and community engagement. Pande and Kaur invited local communities and visitors to contribute materials and partake in the process of creation, fostering a collective expression of concern and creativity. Kaur adds, “Engaging with the local community in creating this installation has been a profound experience. It reinforces the idea that art can be a powerful tool for awareness and change. In this case, it has brought people together to address the environmental issues we collectively face.”

Infinity in a Box was displayed at Sā Ladakh 2024 from 1st - 10th June, 2024.