THE RED CARPET: A FRUGAL PATH; AN EVIDENT STEP

Marlene Apmann’s images appear deceptively simple. At first glance, her photographs feature young girls in their teens or thereabout looking directly into the camera. They are generally decked up in colourful attire for the occasion of being photographed. As important are the surroundings in which they are situated: a public bus stand or railway station; a non-decrepit street; a marriage hall; a local park; and so on. And then comes the most unexpected twist to the tale: all of them are standing on a red carpet!

It is this act of subversion – placing a red carpet, traditionally used to sketch the path taken by VIPs on ceremonial occasions, in the most ordinary of situations - that brings a sense of mystery and intrigue to Marlene’s images. Through this simple act of laying down a long, red floor covering for the girls to step on, the artist is alluding to different layers of an existing social and cultural order.

GIRIDHAR KHASNIS I Art Critic and Curator