Gender probings
between self and the other, falls the shadow
I just wanted to document and respond through written format, the first collaborative pre- intervention exercises that happened at cubbon park. The intervention was designed to result through a three step process, spanning three days. Day one involved surveying the actual park space of approximately 150 or so acres (including library and court areas, that have been designated as part of cubbon park recently- according to one of the cubbon park visitors I spoke to). The survey was documented through pictures of the space/s within the park. (I wasnt around on Jan 16th while this happened). The group met again at a spot that was zeroed on probably because it seemed like most women in the group had concurred that it was male dominated and had a certain “energy”
Aside: Would like to know more about the process of Day 1, ie, observations and comparisons of other spaces within the park. and how this particular behind-the-big-rock, bamboo-spot was arrived at. 
Jan 17th saw Shrishti students, faculty and the artists who had decided to collaborate. The focus of discussion in a space like Cubbon Park is intuitive and due to the immediate experience- “public attention/tension”. Particular are gender tension points that involve gender relations in public spaces leading to interactions- complete or incomplete, legitimate or illegitimate, appropriate or inappropriate.
get up, stand up
As we sat under the spot, a group of young boys belonging “to another class” came over and hovered around a tree close by. They were hooting, climbing atop the tree and seemingly vying for attention. Our group being fairly large, the affect was merely invasion through and of soundspace.
The discussions then veered towards sexual tension, women’s senses of sanity in public space being assaulted when a man commits or exhibits overt (or any form of undesired) sexual behaviour. However, we also spoke about examining this a little deeper, playing with it rather than be shocked, stuck, stunned out of a response.
The interesting thing about this conversation for me was the scratching of surfaces of the public and private sexual self. Concepts of self exist; gender is one of course, quite defined biologically. However, the sexual self neednt necessarily confirm to the identity of gender self. Then there is the concept of legitimising the sexual self, expressing through it and also, going beyond it to interact to dissolve the gender tension point.
open questions…
Based on these, the group decided to choose cultural and socially relevant public activities/creative interventions. These were discussed for their provocativeness, efficacy and cultural relevance.
Some interesting ideas that emerged…
-To work with pieces of colored cloth/ribbons and trace ones space with these. This would help “occupy” the space and change the older visual notion of what it signified.
-String bangles and chimes to “feminise” the space. Connotations of loving feminine energy, connotations of the chimes of womanly objects as a forwarning as protectors, reminders, conscience through their sound.
- Occupying the spaces that men inhabited. Occupy the rocks, the trees, and hold mirrors as reflections of the self, and to “reflect back” the uncomfortable, attention giving gaze.
she's a rainbow
- Dialogue with the other. Legitimise sexual approachability and allow room for communication, rejection- interaction. Work with a booth or a window through which two people could communicate legitimately.
I was watchful throughout for community addressal. Gender in public spaces definitely involves anguish for the woman, for the feminine. But that also could turn into a pursued victimhood stance. Yes, there is a need for healing, there’s also a need for communication and interaction. there’s the larger need to address the missing sexual self. Indian philosophy advocates a certain renounciation of the material. it advocates through a certain puritanical sounding conch…or does it? Have we understood it thus? Are these gender interaction layers stemming from our training of gender, our culture of layered gender interactions, culture upon culture of practices, the histories…
personal histories, class histories, caste histories and colonial histories. All needing addressal…all the traces that happened in a psycho-physico-prototype public space.
I will be uploading some audio clips and interviews soon- bear with me, but to speak of what one gentleman suggested during one of my interactions with the “speech thirsty fringe”- what the park needs is designated spaces for legitimate romance: opposite sex, same sex areas, and family designated areas…seems like a fairly smart move to make- one that will avoid space confusions, and legitimize the “activity” zone. Worth a think, and a debate
Deepak