The disordered world around us manifests itself through noise. The foundation of Archana Bhurke’s research and installation project, शोर, is a journey of emplacement in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland). Drawing inspiration from the Indian heritage art of Kalamkari, Archana relates her experiences of the familiar and unfamiliar sounds of Auckland through the spatialisation of Tui and Myna birdsong across a number of printed, suspended fabrics.

शोर, is a Hindi word for “noise”. This project explores how patterns can be formed from listening, and how such patterns can establish a sense of emplacement in an unknown environment. Archana’s reimagining of soundscapes through pattern and motif takes influence from the rich realms of Indian mythology, stories, and symbolism, which inform her state of being.

Of the project, Bhurke observes:

I have proposed a walking methodology for the sonic cartography of places in the city where I discover known and unknown sounds. By recording and interpreting these acoustic cues through drawing and mark-making, I am developing a new visual language to delineate my attachments with this new place. While keeping inspiration from the traditional Kalamkari art, and using digital soft- ware to design, replicate and screen print the sound motifs on different textiles, I am exploring new ways to reinvent the heritage art. This project aims to share this newfound knowledge through surface design, where I manifest surfaces that tell my story of belonging.

Opens: Wednesday 21 April, 5.30pm (with refreshments from Liberty Brewing Company)
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 12 – 4pm
Closes: Saturday 22 May

Workshop & sound-walk: Saturday 1 May @ Albert Park, from 9am
More info: HERE