Ecology of site-specific painting and drawing: Embodied and empathic mark-making in urban cites

Abstract

The idea of ecology has changed drastically during the last few decades. The trend in scholarship has changed from exclusively studying nature and natural objects, to include human’s relationship to it. In this context the present article aims to look at the ecological implication of site-specific practice: concentrating on contemporary drawing and paintings realized in the context of urban India. To this aim some aspects of site-specific mark-making would be analysed seeking support from philosopher Merleau-Ponty’s (1993, [1945] 2008) idea of phenomenological embodiment and the theory of ecological perception proposed by psychologist Gibson (1966, 1972). Works of contemporary drawing/painting practitioners from India, practitioners such as Gagan Singh, artist collectives such as Networks and Neighborhood, St+art, Geechugalu, along with author’s own practice will illustrate how site-specific pattern-making can be a way of interacting with the environment, establishing new connections between art-materials, the environment, the viewers and the makers. These analyses will bring insights into how art practice can contribute to new ways of conceptualizing urban ecology.