Ocean glows and more at this exhibition in Goa

Subodh Kerkar, the Founding Director of the Museum of Goa (MOG), Pilerne, is probably the only land artist in Goa. He says the ocean is his muse, and over the years, he’s done numerous installations on the beach in Goa, Busan and Germany.

He’s also a sculptor and painter. His solo multimedia show, titled ‘Luciferase’, previewed at Carpe Diem Art Gallery, Majorda, on January 12, 2023, and was coordinated by Viraj Naik.

Raphaël Dubois invented the words luciferin and luciferase (for the substrate and enzyme), derived from the Latin word for ‘light’ (lux) and ‘to bring or carry’ (ferre).

Luciferase are small floating, weakly swimming organisms that drift with water currents in the sea, river and lakes, and are components of the plankton community.

BEHIND THE ART

In the depths of the ocean, enzymes catalyse the oxidation of a luciferin, causing it to produce a visible glow. For example, the light-producing material in a glow-worm or fire fly is oxidized and broken for the glow of the zooplanktons (algae) and animals such as the Sea Pansy, Krill, Lion Mane jellyfish, among others.

These organisms serve as an intermediary species in the food chain, supplying almost all oceanic organisms, and transferring energy from planktonic algae to the larger invertebrate predators and fish who feed on them. There are two main types of plankton – phytoplankton (plants) and zooplankton (animals).

Many corals capture zooplankton as food and nutrition via photosynthesis, and appear as shades of blue-green to green.

Luciferase can also be produced in the lab, through genetic engineering, for a number of purposes. The luminous glow around the figures in the paintings stimulated the concept of the title.

The exhibition also has several other paintings and sculptures, which are related to the theme of the ocean.

Different harsh angles and an absence of colour invent entire narratives, giving viewers just enough information to dream up the following sequence of the story as optical forms become something more than their visual effects.

Subodh’s intuitive sensibility and gestural aesthetics are heavily influenced by a raw dynamic painting style. The colours, the expressive marks and physicality of his exhibits are deeply personal expression and communication of an artist, which allows the works to tell the story.

The multimedia show ‘Luciferase’ will continue till February 12, 2023 at Carpe Diem Art Gallery, Majorda