Divine Thru: Muvindu Binoy
Muvindu Binoy’s work is a combination of his generational outlook combined with his influences of filmography and the captured image. In this, his second consecutive solo exhibition, Binoy continues to observe imagery of religion, consumerism and Generation Y. His collage work combines imagery taken from both vintage and contemporary culture, the intended juxtaposition of these times become a stronger representation of the emphasis he wishes to place on his observations of the now. Divine Thru plays on two phrases, Drive Thru and Divine Truth. The former implies the ease of access to commercialism and the latter – the search for a meaning of life. Binoy’s method is a removed narrative in which he chooses to allow the audience to find their own ‘truth’ to each work.
Saskia Fernando
Divine Thru
Muvindu Binoy
28 April - 19 May 2016
Muvindu Binoy work is a combination of his generational outlook combined with his influences of filmography and the captured image. In this, his second consecutive solo exhibition, Binoy continues to observe imagery of religion, consumerism and Generation Y. His collage work combines imagery taken from both vintage and contemporary culture, the intended juxtaposition of these times become a stronger representation of the emphasis he wishes to place on his observations of the now. Divine Thru plays on two phrases, Drive Thru and Divine Truth. The former implies the ease of access to commercialism and the latter - the search for a meaning of life. Binoy’s method is a removed narrative in which he chooses to allow the audience to find their own ‘truth’ to each work.
1. What is the message to be derived from “Divine Thru”?
I don't believe in verbally conveying messages through art. Especially by making collages. If the artist needs a little side note to describe the art work, he or she might well as write an essay about their desired topic or make a small power point presentation and present it in front of an audience. However, "Divine Thru" is about accessing absolute human ecstasy by fulfilling all our desires by the excessive use of technology. It's like we are in a drive thru to our own divinity. Eager to become our own gods or at least God-like.
2. What was the predominant influence behind this title?
How they visualized gods in the olden days, especially the gestures and postures you see in Hindu gods and deities alongside the mudras, body shapes and sexuality. The most interesting part for me was how they portrayed these gods. Gold coins pouring out from their palms, wearing shiny gold jewelry and the bright spherical halo as the focus of the entire composition. These are strictly visual observations and I don’t intend to connect any of the interpretations with Hinduism or any religion directly.
I don’t see any sort of simplicity or letting go of my desires by obtaining these portraits visually and subconsciously it gives me more of a lavish or a rich idea to consume. "Divine Thru" is a rejuvenation of gods and new century-beliefs.
3. To what extent does your style respond to the social and political context of Sri Lanka?
It's more of a representation than a response. I have no immediate interest of addressing any social or political contexts in Sri Lanka. The ideology of my work is always based on my own dystopia where I see my self as an absolute misanthropist.
My work directly speaks about individualism.
4. What is unique with the style of art that you present?
Collage gives you the ability to talk in fragments. It has the visual power to give multiple meaning to a single signifier. A shoe is not just footwear but it has a chance of becoming a head to a human.
5.Who inspires you the most?
Working as a full time filmmaker I get inspired a lot by watching movies. Artists like, David Lynch and Harmony Korine are the two main figures I identify as my all time influences. Not just their film work also the fact they use different art forms to express their ideas.
6. What inspires you the most?
The Internet culture or contemporary pop culture inspires me. How people imprudently go beyond their limitations to achieve what they call success and I'm okay with that. For me that's the reality of being a human being. It's always trial and error than the absolute.
7. Is Divine Thru connected to your previous exhibitions and if so how?
Yes it is. This is actually an expansion of The Holy Merchandise (my previous exhibition) but Divine Thru is more focused and precise, where I only talk about common beliefs and political correctness. Visually, The Holy Merchandise had more of a chaotic approach but this time I wanted to use more bright colors and more expressive images of the human body.
8. How long does it take you to complete a piece or do you work on several pieces at the same time?
I do not work on several pieces at the same. I do not sketch or pre plan any of my collages before the actual process. I just go along with the visual rhythm and my drive towards the concept. It might take 4 - 5 hours to finish or might take weeks to finish a collage. It depends how I find my material.
