Autolysis : Asim Waqif

Uma Nair [Delhi]

Autolysis by AsimWaqif in a 200 year old sarai at Mehrauli turned out to be the marriage of decadence with persistent perseverance. Asim Waqif, the multi disciplinary architect turned artist once said ‘commercial value has eclipsed experimentation.’ This is situational irony, because the guards at the One Style Mile at Meharuli had the arrogance of illiterate But one is drawn into the maw of the large driftwood piece that hangs from the ceiling with the pigeons cooing around it. Ivory toned UV photographic plates have been welded together and you almost feel as if you are looking at a metaphoric chandelier belonging to a phantom’s opera. “Municipal Demolition 2” has political undertones. Waqif ’s work prompts us to look again, and ask harder questions. Denim clad, dusty shoed Waqif is very much a boy next door type.” History or memory?” is my query.” Of course memory,” he says, “I trust my memory but I don’t trust history. I have been looking at recycling for a long time. You cut trees to create infrastructure. I have always felt art has to be organic. I create out of what has been wasted. I photograph places that have been demolished like 1, MG Road and an office opposite KHOJ and use the plates to create art. It must go back into the homes of the rich-then the cycle is complete.”