The ‘Preserve the Pride’ artwork, a 10x10x3 feet structure made of recycled corrugated cardboard, is installed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai, Terminal 2 departure gate.
The artwork is made in 16 parts adjoined in interlocked format. Around 10,000 cardboard cutouts put together to make this giants artwork. It consists of 22 statues which depict different phases of Buddha’s life.
The installation by Bandana Jain, a contemporary artist, derives its inspiration from the doorway of a Buddhist shrine at Ajanta cave, a designated UNESCO heritage site and the pride of Maharashtra.
The cardboard cave
Ajanta cave 19 is a magnificent Chaitya having a remarkably detailed façade; elaborated with pilasters, depict scenes of Buddha’s life, Jataka tales, Bodhisattva, entourages, and decorative patterns.
“Being a civic, the way we treat our own properties and being an administrative body, how we let it ruined by age or natural calamities, we are in a danger to lose not just our root, but our cultural uniqueness”, says Bandana.
The designer is showing a rather distressed look of the same on the installation where the details of the façade have gone, the sculptures have cleft and the cave itself is in a fragile state.
Conservation of heritage buildings is very important because it provides a sense of identity and continuity in a fast-changing world for future generations. Heritage buildings represent the history and culture of a nation. They create awareness of our roots.
It’s a high time the people preserve their pride and let it inspire them to achieve back the power and position.
Website: www.bandanajain.com
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