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Untitled

Over the years, the Taj Mahal has become an icon of immortal love. This is a work, composed of rows of miniature steel Taj Mahals which function as bricks that create a huge wall – a visual obstruction. Sudarshan Shetty asks us to consider what the making of a cultural icon does to the object that is iconicized. The monumental wall is composed of hundreds of souvenir Taj Mahals. In contrast to the magnificence of the marble mausoleum, the steel models symbolize modernity and mechanization. Simultaneously, the idea of an original is disrupted as the monument turns into a mould to enable mindless re-productions. Since certain expressions of love become generic – endlessly used and abused, manipulated and manufactured – the economization of a universal emotion is clearly implicated in this installation. One recalls the encased models of the Taj Mahal being sold outside the mausoleum complex. These seem to stand as urns that ‘contain’ the majestic structure, continually invoking the visual experience that has lapsed into memory. Shetty converses with the memory-image that has entered public consciousness. The accompanying video shows the Taj melting as though overheated by the expectations placed upon it. This work demonstrates Shetty’s longstanding interest in ‘de-constructing’ the human experience and cultural convention.

Questions & Answers

Does the copyright of "Untitled" by Sudarshan Shetty allow reproductions?

The copyright status of "Untitled" by Sudarshan Shetty is clear: the work is still protected by copyright. Its presence at the Devi Art Foundation does not change that status.

How many people view "Untitled"?

A Stats page exists for "Untitled". It charts the monthly visits of the artwork and of the artist's other works, with country and language breakdowns.

Can I examine "Untitled" in more detail?

The X-Ray page of "Untitled" by Sudarshan Shetty is an interactive viewer that lets you slide through eleven optical layers of the artwork's image, including an X-ray style view.

Sudarshan Shetty (1961 –)

Sudarshan Shetty: Leading Indian contemporary artist renowned for immersive sculptures & multimedia installations exploring memory, domesticity & temporality. Exhibited at Tate Modern & more.

Devi Art Foundation (Gurugram, India)

Devi Art Foundation is a leading contemporary art museum in Gurugram, India, established by Anupam and Lekha Poddar. Focusing on South Asian art forms—including tribal and experimental pieces—it houses over 7,000 artworks and operates with independence to foster artistic dialogue. Highlights include diverse paintings, sculptures, and exhibitions promoting Indian culture internationally.

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