By Sukant Deepak New Delhi, Dec 8, 2008 : .He has a Master’s degree in theoretical physics, mathematics and was on his path to a doctorate.
Then he made the leap into photography.Although his themes and narratives may vary — disappearing islands, surveillance in the digital panaopticon, surveillance in nocturnal realms, psychosomatic stress in captive animals, and disappearing islands – what remains constant in his work are not only a deep sense and awe, but also a deep sense and curiosity.
Arko Datto, one of the most well-known Indian photographers, is now ready to start work on the final schedule for his film, ‘Picnic’.”I have been working on the film for the last?ve year and it will be finished by next year.It is an experimental essay film.I wouldn’t call this a documentary, but it is in the performative documentary realm.
He tells IANS that he is very excited.
Datto, the 2005 World Press Photo Award winner, is also working on a large project for National Geographic magazine.
He has been traveling around the country looking at different aspects of renewable energy, sustainable futures, and climate change.
“That is the kinda big engagement that has been part of my life over the past few months, and will continue for the future,” says the photographer whose two monographs (PicNik and Will My Mannequin be Home When I Return) were published in 2018.
Photographs are for this Kolkata-based artist a way to understand the world, discover it, and then ruminate and bring out his thoughts, insights, and understanding of the situations around us.
“This art form is how I interact with the wider world.This was impossible for me when I was studying mathematics and physics.Datto says that he is someone who loves being outside, and engages with peoples, societies, cultures and politics.” He insists that literature, film, Indian Classical music, sculptures, and installation works are his fields of study.These spaces remain as a constellation in Datto’s mind, far beyond the realm of photography.
He is also certain that he would never change his educational background, considering that his practice and even curations draw on his knowledge of mathematics and physics.
Datto, one of the curators for the third edition Chennai Photo Biennale feels that, while there was a boom in India and the subcontinent in recent years, the enthusiasm and sustainability when it comes creating festivals year after year has waned.
“This is precisely why I believe a space such as the Chennai Photo Biennale important because despite the many difficulties they have faced, they have been successful in continuing.It’s an important space that allows photographers to meet and discuss their understanding of photography in this changing world.
This year’s theme will be ‘Maps of Unease’.It will aim to raise awareness about the mind-churning technological, social, and environmental demands of life.
The core principle of the artist’s work has been, for the longest time, to work on multiple themes simultaneously.”I work on very long-term projects, so each project is an engagement that takes precedence over space.I don’t want to get bored working on one project for too long.I prefer to switch between projects to keep my energy up and keep them fresh.
However, I am involved in different projects with different timelines.I have been shooting for the project ‘Rail Diwali’ every year on five days during Kali Puja Diwali.
Working on climate change would require that you work primarily during the monsoon season.A project such as “Picnic” would typically take place in winter, December or January.
I have created my projects so that I am always working on them and never having a dull moment.It is also important that I keep it simple so that I can take breaks during the hot months.”I am usually teaching, or you would see my catching up with my reading, film photography, education, etc.that is kind of what I do downtime,” says the artist, who has been associated to the Kochi Biennale, Obscura Photography Festival.
He doesn’t have a particular theme in mind and is constantly engaged with the news, technology, film, photography, and other arts.”I am always trying to find new ideas and processing a lot at once.I have a strong sense for curiosity so I start projects.There have been many failed projects.
Some good projects I had to abandon because they were not fulfilling their potential have been great.They are still in my hands, but I am working on them in different ways.They begin as photography projects, but they eventually become other things.”Picnic” is an example of such a project.It started out as a photography project and has evolved into an experimental film project.
He is also involved in film sculptural installation work.
His socio-political project, titled “Dinos of Hindustan”, is about dinosaurs.It involves photography as well as creative writing and sculptural installations.”I was also working in a project called “Pandemic Pooja Experience”, which includes a photography component and an experimental film using thermal cameras.It’s always in flux.
Datto has been avoiding Instagram for a long time because it is a natural space where photographers want to promote their work.”Instagram is not a good way to promote your work or to look at photography in a different way.Slowly, I found a different way to use the platform.Five of my Instagram accounts are currently project pages.Datto concludes, “It is a kind incubation laboratory where you can make the platform creative component or a partner in the way you can see a project rather than just promoting your photography or project.”
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