OFFLINE
2 Months
2020
Offline is a virtual exhibition exploring the relationship between the inside and outside during the global pandemic. In March 2020, as India faced the initial waves of COVID-19, Yamini and I brainstormed an exhibition to document the pandemic experience through the lenses of equality and accessibility. Our aim was to question the feelings of frustration and guilt that arose from the privilege of confinement.
Over two months, we conducted research and conceptualized the exhibition, focusing on the deep inequities in access and safety highlighted by the pandemic. Our discussions led us to explore how these disparities affected individuals differently, particularly between those who could afford confinement and those who could not. We initially launched the project on Facebook and a website, but soon realized that the theme of feeling trapped between "inside" and "outside" wouldn't be effectively conveyed through these platforms.
We developed an exhibition guide in the form of a graffitied advertisement, utilizing a stark color contrast of black and white with bursts of graffitied blue. To immerse the audience in the isolation experienced during lockdown, we pivoted to an augmented reality (AR) experience, allowing viewers to interact with the artwork in a more meaningful way.
While we couldn't fully measure the long-term impact due to limited implementation, the project provided valuable insights into how digital interventions can foster community engagement and dialogue around issues of accessibility and privilege during a crisis, laying the groundwork for potential future developments.
Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology (Research Project)
Sector
Interactive Art
Virtual Exhibition
Accessibility
Discipline
Interactive Design
Augmented Reality
Curatorial Practice
Brand Identity
Adobe Creative Suite
Figma
Spark AR
WIX Studio
Project Team
Yamini Belwal
Role
Art Director
Curator