Scenes from a Despot's Dream
Installation view at Aicon Contemporary, New York, 2022; Image courtesy Aicon Contemporary
Urban design, myths, history, and political implications associated with the design of urban spaces are some of the main focuses of Swagata Bhattacharyya's work. In the current series of works, the artist presents scenes from a parallel world (Nation) that aligns historically and politically with India.
The works depict a fictional world where an authoritarian regime enforces homogeneity and unity among its diverse population. The artworks aim to illustrate how the self-centred fantasies of authoritarian leaders translate into collective desires through images and architectural structures. The artist conveys these concepts through ground plans, architectural drawings, metaphorical and absurd scenarios, and images of subversive details. The works shed light on how authoritarian regimes attempt to shape national identity through large-scale projects, the segregation of immigrants and minority groups, and the management of environmental crises. These structures are inspired by real-world projects in India and beyond, where the emphasis is on projecting strength through architecture rather than deriving genuine benefits from inclusive designs.
The works also seek to depict the phenomena of propaganda. Throughout history, political parties have used it as a form of advertising to highlight their efforts in promoting growth and development. However, a closer look at the images reveals the incompetence and failures that these advertisements attempt to conceal. Overall, the works portray the radicalization of the masses, as people embrace a false and divisive dream while ignoring the violence imposed by authoritarianism on society and the environment.