Abheypur, India
Artist Statement
I traveled to the northern village
of Abheypur, India in early January with the university’s Engineers Without
Borders (EWB) student chapter. The people of India struggle with the
acquisition and disposal of water on a daily basis. EWB has been working
towards improving the availability of water and prevention of flooding in
Abheypur. Originally it was my task to document the production and
implementation of the soak pit[1]
system. While exploring the village and meeting the people of Abheypur I found
myself photographing the people and their surrounding spaces. Every color,
texture, and moment in time seemed to effortlessly compose itself within the
frame.
As an outsider entering a foreign environment, the immediate fascination with a local’s idea of ordinary scenery allowed for a different visual perspective. Simple instances of chipped paint, vibrant mustard fields, and harmony between the colors of the people and their homes provided beautiful moments that could only be captured in this new location.
When looking at these images they may seem posed, however, it is a nonjudgmental depiction of their dispositions. The people of the village know nothing different than the lifestyle that they lead. Every day brings the same manual labor; tasks that must be completed to survive. This is the normal routine and even though the residents may not be overjoyed by their position in life, they are content. Because of this slow lifestyle with never ending hardships, the images depict exactly what is experienced upon entering the village; a place where people have hardened but calm personalities. Their stance was the result of my experience with them and their experience with the camera. The villagers don’t have the western sensibility to smile in front of a lens so they continue to stand, as they were when asked to be photographed. The strong gaze directed at the camera is a reflection of their persona.
Traveling to India was an eye opening experience for me because it is so culturally different than what I am used to in America. I was shocked by the accumulation of trash and the overcrowded streets but as I began to discover my surroundings I found a photographer’s beauty in this small village of Abheypur.
[1] India currently has a gutter system similar to that of the Romans. The lack of waste management causes the gutters to clog; resulting in flooded streets. A soak pit is a system designed to trap pollutants and filter water back into the ground. It is created by digging a rectangular ditch that is filled with alternating layers of stone, brick and coconut husk.
As an outsider entering a foreign environment, the immediate fascination with a local’s idea of ordinary scenery allowed for a different visual perspective. Simple instances of chipped paint, vibrant mustard fields, and harmony between the colors of the people and their homes provided beautiful moments that could only be captured in this new location.
When looking at these images they may seem posed, however, it is a nonjudgmental depiction of their dispositions. The people of the village know nothing different than the lifestyle that they lead. Every day brings the same manual labor; tasks that must be completed to survive. This is the normal routine and even though the residents may not be overjoyed by their position in life, they are content. Because of this slow lifestyle with never ending hardships, the images depict exactly what is experienced upon entering the village; a place where people have hardened but calm personalities. Their stance was the result of my experience with them and their experience with the camera. The villagers don’t have the western sensibility to smile in front of a lens so they continue to stand, as they were when asked to be photographed. The strong gaze directed at the camera is a reflection of their persona.
Traveling to India was an eye opening experience for me because it is so culturally different than what I am used to in America. I was shocked by the accumulation of trash and the overcrowded streets but as I began to discover my surroundings I found a photographer’s beauty in this small village of Abheypur.
[1] India currently has a gutter system similar to that of the Romans. The lack of waste management causes the gutters to clog; resulting in flooded streets. A soak pit is a system designed to trap pollutants and filter water back into the ground. It is created by digging a rectangular ditch that is filled with alternating layers of stone, brick and coconut husk.