Aditi Aggarwal

This work was conceived during my preparation for a residency on 100 ft Road in Chattarpur, New Delhi, an area known for its rapid urban development juxtaposed with pockets of constructions (landscapes). Chattarpur, located in the southwestern part of Delhi, offers a unique blend of urban sprawl and rural charm remnants, providing a rich tapestry of visual and contextual elements for my project. As part of my preparatory phase, I explored 100 ft Road extensively on foot, capturing a myriad of photographs that documented the area's diverse architectural styles, bustling street life, and the interplay between old and new Delhi. These photographs served as visual references, capturing the essence of Chattarpur's evolving identity. In the studio, I began by translating these references into pencil sketches. Using a white pencil, I meticulously made the drawing referencing the photographs onto canvas. Following this, I used a fine liner loaded with white acrylic paint to refine these lines, practising precision and control. This process created the illusion of a single-line drawing, but beneath the surface, there were layers upon layers of corrections and overdrawings hidden beneath black paint applied with a roller. This method symbolized the layered history and complexity of Delhi itself.  

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My main aim was to create a series of scrolls that collectively embody the essence of 100 ft Road. The concept of the work revolves around the idea of 100 feet, mirroring the length of the road itself. Each of the 10 scrolls measures approximately 10 feet in length. When displayed sequentially, they form a continuous 100-foot visual narrative, representing the physical and metaphorical journey through Chattarpur, encapsulating its dynamic transition from a traditional enclave to a modern urban landscape.

 

This work not only captures a specific location in Delhi but also reflects the broader themes of urbanization, memory, and the passage of time.