Video Art Installation | 2014

Beyond the physical world, lies the latent world of shadows…

The Unmanifested is an experimental dance-film installation project that defines the domain of shadows as a metaphor for unmanifested tendencies, thoughts, desires and struggles. This unexplored world is called to life through the movement and gestural language of Indian Classical Dance.

Dance translates into an expression of the subconscious that seeks to convey the deepest existential and spiritual realities through pure movement.

Commissioned by Dubai Culture for the SIKKA Art Fair in 2014, The Unmanifested is the debut production of Lumiere – a collective founded by Shereen Saif and filmmaker SwapnaKurup to create illuminative, experimental and introspective dance-film projects.

The 2014 edition of SIKKA Art Fair was co-curated by Sheikha Wafa Hasher Al Maktoum, founder and director of FN Designs, and Japanese architect and programme director, Kayoko Iemura, assisted by Yusaka Imamura, the Art Adviser to the fair.

“Both Swapna and I were getting into unchartered waters when we came up with the concept for The Unmanifested. We didn’t really have a point of reference to create this experimental work so we improvised and found solutions through trial and error. From learning how to work with lights to create the impression of a shadow while shooting, to crafting bespoke music for the choreography to finding budget friendly tech solutions… it was a steep but very exciting learning curve.”