The concept of home extends beyond its physicality, embodying a repository of memories, dreams, and emotions. Inspired by Gaston Bachelard's notion that home encapsulates the vastness of the dreamer, this project explores the metaphorical representation of home through the lens of seedpods. Similar to the protective cocoon a seedpod provides for a seed, our homes serve as nurturing environments for our innermost thoughts and emotions to develop. Framed through the metaphorical lens of seedpods, the study navigates the displacement, migration, and adaptation of plants in  Indian landscape. Through botanical research, indigenous knotting techniques like macrame, and natural dye processes, the project aims to create experiential seedpod sculptures that embody the essence of belonging.

This research delves into the natural forms of seedpods, unravelling their characteristics as containers and the life they nurture within. As seedpods grow and become nurturing shells, the revelation of fruits through the seeds mirrors the dynamic nature of the concept of home—ever-changing and shifting. The study aims to weave these botanical narratives into large-scale sculptural forms using coir, hemp ropes and other possible materials, employing knotting techniques as a metaphor for emotional ties to home. A narrative that transcends time and space, connecting the displacement of plants with the essence of home, reflecting the landscapes shaped by migration and cultural exchanges. Collaborating with botany experts, the research encompasses the ecological context and cultural significance of plants like Lily Magnolia, Common Lilac, Gulmohar, and more. This stage also integrates scientific methods, such as chromatography, to extract pigments for sustainable natural dyes.

 

The project transcends traditional exhibition spaces by presenting the sculptures in outdoor gardens. This intentional choice invites viewers to engage intimately with the sculptures in ever-changing natural settings. The outdoor exhibition accentuates the temporal aspect, allowing the artworks to evolve alongside seasonal transformations, mirroring the resilience observed in migratory plants. By documenting the creative process, botanical research, and ecological exploration, the project aims to reach a diverse audience, fostering a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between migration, home, and the natural world. "Tangled homelands" seeks to evoke a sensory and contemplative experience, weaving a narrative that resonates with the viewer's own sense of place and belonging.