THE SILENT SCREAM
Priya Thuvassery
INDIA
In 2021 the PARDICOLOR Creative Arts Fund supported Priya Thuvassery, an independent documentary filmmaker and television producer based in New Delhi, India. The inspiration for Priya’s project ‘The Silent Scream’, a two-part piece composed of an underwater installation and proposed land-based replica, came from her 2019 film ‘Coral Woman’ and forms part of a campaign that aims to bring much needed attention to the plight of India's coral reefs. The design for both installations was the result of a virtual residency which brought together artists, marine researchers and coral reef conservationists. We follow the journey of the final underwater sculpture, a true odyssey from workshop to minivan and boat to seabed. And the story will go on as the translocated coral continues to grow, contributing towards efforts to rehabilitate the reef off Grande Island (Goan waters), and the land-based installation takes shape.
All writings by Priya & Anupama Mandloi.
“it is our belief that creating an emotional and vivid depiction of the ravages of mankind suffered by the corals and marine life will forge a direct link with people.”
CORAL WOMAN ART RESIDENCY
The art residency kicked off in November 2021 - December 2021 in a virtual format, with thanks to SotoHaus for invaluable assistance on the ground. There were regular brainstorming sessions alternated by a series of inspirational and informational dialogues with guest experts who shared their myriad experiences of marine conservation, art and corals, diving, coral rehabilitation, eco-friendly interventions and coastal community challenges. The sessions were passionate, filled with curiosity and a desire to create something evocative and from the heart. At the end of the virtual residency, we had a finalised design for the two installations – we called it The Silent Scream.
Sarita Fernandes presents 'Coastal Community Perspectives'.
K Diraviya Raj presents 'Coral Restoration'.
Multimedia science artist Pooja Gupta sharing ideas.
An idea grows.
Stephanie Kilgast inspires.
The virtual Coral Woman Art Residency.
Imagining the land sculpture during our virtual art residency.
An idea takes shape.
DESIGN CONSTRUCTION
The installation depicts the silent scream of marine life. The humans cannot hear or see the scream. Our apathy is symbolised in the scream. The design was arrived at after several iterations and it is our belief that creating an emotional and vivid depiction of the ravages of mankind suffered by the corals and marine life will forge a direct link with people. The fact that the body of the fish has a representative oil barrel with industrial effluents is an additional layer. The trauma and destruction our thoughtless acts have caused are captured in the design.
Getting the dimensions right.
Behind the scenes.
Creation and recreation.
Step by step we move forward.
The artists at work.
Our cinematographer at work.
The Silent Scream is ready.
UNDERWATER INSTALLATION
We transported the installation in a minivan and moved it onto a boat that was docked on the riverfront, the previous night. The next morning Coastal Impact led by Venkatesh Charloo, a diver and coral conservationist, came with his team of divers. The overall weight of the underwater sculpture is approx 600kgs. We were working on a lean budget and couldn't afford a crane to lift the pieces and navigate them into position. The helpers who moved the piece from the workshop to the boat went along with the cinematographer and the diving team. The boat took an hour to get to the location in the sea where each piece was lowered from the boat and positioned on the sea bed with the help of the divers. The next day all of us rode out with the coastal impact team and the coral transplantation was completed.
The Silent Scream in transit in the minivan.
The boat coming into dock before loading.
600kg being moved for its final journey.
The installation sails towards its final resting place.
Coral Woman Impact Project team and Costal Impact partners.
Venkatesh Charloo, a diver and coral conservationist from Coastal Impact.
Positioning the sculpture with the help of Coastal Impact divers.
THE SILENT SCREAM
The first installation [the second will be a land-based replica] has been placed underwater [off Grande Island off the coast of Goa] to exemplify the effects of nature and how it heals the cuts and bruises borne by marine life in its struggle to survive. The coral [translocation has taken place] on this underwater installation. It is our hope that this installation will grow into a rehabilitated coral reef in the coming years. The lifespan of this artwork is meant to be infinite and it has the potential to become a highly regarded symbol of hope in India.
The Silent Scream will soon be a thriving coral reef.
The underwater sculpture is finally home.
The corals are growing.
A thing of beauty if a joy forever.
Fresh from coral transplantation.
Checking on the corals.
Home to the corals.
The fish discover a new home.
Corals adorn the underwater sculpture.