In dialogue with Shabon

Shabon and I attended an art course together. Both of us began to share a word on our interests and shared our favourite music and stories. As we delve into the conversation of what’s art to us we shared a dialogue.

Abhinay Renny(A): What are few exhibitions you are looking forward to attend?

Shabon(S): There’s Davinci immersive exhibition in Basel and I’m looking forward to attend it.

A: Let me get to the questions that I'm pondering on. Why does one need to consume/interact with art?

S: As one consumes art, we let ourselves open to it and gets onto the journey of finding oneself as well as the emotions that evoke by it’s presence.

A: Could you please share one of the journeys that you enjoyed interacting with any form of art?

S: In the recent past, I began to listen to the old classics. As I began to listen to the music, I began to visualize and let my mind wander through the stories of people who used to listen when the music was out and also the stories of people who relate to it. It’s just not a song but people who wrote, composed, put their ideas in that form as well as people who have travelled with it. As I listen to it in 2024, I’m puzzled by the way it transcends and evokes a lot of emotions that must have encapsulated the people who heard it in their own ways.

A: Could you please share some music suggestions?

S: Try listening to Edith Piaf. I'm currently listening to her old classics.

A: How do you listen to music these days?

S: I recently got a Vinyl record and managed to own Mughal E Azaam vinyl record. It’s a very old disc. As I listen to the music along with the cracks, distortion and the depth the vinyl record brings, it narrates a lot more than the music that's composed.

A: Could you describe your listening experience?

S: Yes, the act of acquiring it, opening it, placing it on the record. There’s a whole act that makes experience more rich and intense. Also, the act of listening is just not by ears, we can use the other senses as well and immerse ourselves in listening. I can see the record moving. As I involve more senses and listen, I feel more immersive and enjoy it thoroughly rather than hear it.

A: Yas, I can relate to it and also connect it to how people involve themselves in shared experiences. As of now, I can relate it with one instance- the act of gifting. For me to give, receive or to give/receive a gift is a very intimate experience. The act of picking things which are very relatable, which brings a smile on one’s face. Packing it, presenting it to them and watching them as they receive. It’s just not to give a gift or receive it but, the whole experience of it. If there’s no such surprise, meaningful interaction, exciting element in sharing, I don’t find it fun.

S: It's more about the depth of the experience versus the mere act of going through the experience.

A:How do you interact with people who can’t relate to the immense rich experiences?

S: Attention seems to be the way to live. The more attentive you are, the more one gets to experience.

Shabon flowing in an empty space

S: What are you currently working on?

A: I’m still continuing with the idea of Empty Spaces. What’s full in an empty space?

It’s the flow.

As Shabon and I continued to discuss art, music, stories, we wished to engage more and share our thoughts on art, other ideas that matter to us. I’m glad to share a word and continue this dialogue. Looking forward to exchange more stories. Thanks Shabon for your time and words. More on sense of home, spaces and emptiness in the next conversation.