Shreeya Suhag

IR2028

Jashn-e-Maut

This studio journey was like that of a bird learning to fly. It started with basics like knowing myself, my capabilities and skills and building on them to soar high. It was required to look at a professional flyer Malika Favre, a French graphic designer illustrator who helped me decode and illustrate life of Aryan Keswani. To understand the significance of my perspective, The cubist technique of Juan Gris helped me see the FA ramp at CEPT, through an eye of optical illusion. To bridge the gap between my mind and my world, Symbiosis-A narrative from a famous architectural writing platform Blank Space opened the wings of imagination to a fairy tale world. Coco and The Book of Life, movies with similar thematic worlds evoked the curiosity of a dead world. Now I had to find a real-world character, a Bollywood villain. Mogambo from Mr. India who because of his narcissistic and psychopathic nature fit perfectly into my world. Finally, it was the time to fly. After combining all the learnings so far, I pushed my imagination to make spaces for the character who ruled the dead world. 

View Additional Work

Report Content

After Mogambo’s Death in Mr. India, he was transported to the Land of the Dead. Through his evil practices, he plundered wealth, manipulated people and became the ruler of the state. His victory over the skeleton world was celebrated and given the name Jashn-e-Maut: The Celebration of Death. Hence, the above poster gives a glimpse of the film made on him. which describes his journey from death in the real world to the emperor of the dead world. (The character draws inspiration from the film: The Book of Life.)

Hail Mogambo: Mogambo was not only considered a ruler but the god. A church was made in his praise. The red skull windows throw light upon his gold altar studded with gems. The nave is lit by the candles held by the ceiling through shackles. People of the state pay regular visits and give a tribute to his empire.

Complacent Hall: For Mogambo, it was important that everyone knew how mighty he is. He made galleries, one of which is shown above. The large gold chandelier throws lights on the central space which has a mirror on the right where he admired himself and, on the left, pockets of galleries with gold parapet (made from the looted wealth). Mogambo was a retired army officer when he was alive. Hence, tThe gallery is filled with items of war and banners. There is a huge wall on the right where curtains fall on his larger-than-life portrait.

Perform for my Lord: Mogambo is hard to please, he got for himself made a courtroom where performers from the state were asked to entertain him. The theatrical stage on the left moved as they performed while the ministers stood in the semi open caves under the giant windows of stained glass which filled the room with light. On the right, he sat on his gold throne which was right above the heap of skulls of people he killed. In case the performers could not manage to impress him, they were thrown into the acid pit.

A Close Eye: Being emperor of such a large state, it became difficult for Mogambo to trust people. He got a made a personalized tram which started from his room and ran through entire state. The tram was accessed through a balcony tiled with mosaic which was connected to his bedroom, the highest point in the state. The tram was made of gold and was fully automated.

The film Coco and the book of Life were made on the similar concept. Día de Muertos (The day of the dead) celebrated in Mexico where it was believed that skeletons come back to meet their families on earth. There was a celebration. The places highlighted against the greys are decorated with Alebrijis- the folk art of Mexico.

Symbiosis- A story by Aleksandr ?ebotariov And Laura Kuršvietyt? from architectural online platform Blank Space which imagined a world in 2069 in which mushroom(mycelium) was the primary building material, starting from mycelium bricks to mycelium wood. Such a habitat is considered environment friendly and sustainable. On the left is a space imagining such world, on the right are thematic components and process clay model made to aid the imagination of the space.

Taking inspiration from Juan Gris- an analyst and synthetic Cubist painter, the FA ramp of CEPT university was made. Keeping in mind his principles of overlap (inter object relation to show depth), music instruments (especially Percussion), interest in literature (newspapers) distorted perspective (to see object through an eye of optical illusion) i.e., draw what you see and not how the object exists. Henceexists. Hence, when I imagine myself standing on FA ramp, I first see staircase which I want to use, thereafter the prominent beams and other components fall in place.

On the left are postcards taking inspiration from the work of graphic designer Malika Favre. They are made for Aryan Keswani (a peer in studio) illustrating his primary aspirations. First, Hero- Aryan’s extreme interest in batman and heroic comics. Second, Liberate- his keenness in hip-hop music, Third, Scatter- his clumsy nature and deep interest in sketching. Fourth, Nature-his dream to settle in a quiet place. On the right is collage made for him which throws light on his expressive nature. and his style.

On the left is a Visual Biography illustration my life like a cycling race track. On the right, A book cover on me, highlighting my special interests in spirituality and my usual life pattern. It illustrates my dreamy nature which comes along packed in a suitcase full of emotions with me as I shift places every 2-3years.

Project Video