18 Allegories of the Self

18 Allegories of the Self

Composition for Ranbir Kaleka, 18 Allegories of the Self, oil and acrylic on canvas with video projection and music, series of six variations, 32 x 57 in | 81.3 x 144.8 cm, 2011

"The number eighteen appeared right to me. In Jewish mysticism known as Gematria, the number eighteen means life or living. Donations to Jewish charities are routinely made in denominations of eighteen for that reason. The Hindu epic Mahabharata has eighteen sections, involves eighteen armies and is about a war fought over eighteen days. In Chinese tradition, the number eighteen means that one is going to prosper. Thus, building floors numbered eighteen are often very expensive in China. In Chinese folklore, the Shaolin temple had a group of eighteen bronze monks. Initiates could only be considered full graduates of Shaolin martial arts if they could defeat them in combat. The number of years in the Saros cycle of eclipses of the sun and moon is eighteen. In some countries, the number eighteen means blood (relative). In most countries eighteen is the age of majority. In most countries eighteen is the voting age. In many countries eighteen is the age of sexual consent." - Ranbir Kaleka

Exhibitions

Fables, Saffronart and Volte Gallery, New Delhi, India, December 2011 - January 2012 

Ranbir Kaleka: Solo Exhibition, Arario Gallery, Cheonan, South Korea, July - August 2012