Prana 7
Lalitha Shankar
1992
MATERIAL: metal: bronze
DIMENSIONS: overall: 6 in x 53 in x 31 in
EDITION: Unique
CREDIT: Grounds For Sculpture, Gift of The Seward Johnson Atelier
© Artist or Artist's Estate
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Lalitha Shankar’s works are sculptural explorations of the multifaceted nature of symbols. The concave triangular form of 'Prana 7' is both elemental and cryptic evoking references to the male torso, the womb, an enormous arrowhead, or a fossilized mussel shell, to name a few. The word “prana,” is the Hindu term used to describe the auto-energizing life-sustaining force of the individual body and the universe; prana is the source of all knowledge and the mover of all activity encompassing all types of energy, including mental, intellectual, physical, sexual, spiritual, heat, light, gravity etc.
The simple, yet ambiguous shape of Prana 7, leaves the identity of the object open to interpretation. According to the artist, the position activates the sculpture. Located outdoors, Prana 7 often fills with rainwater which is intended by the artist. This triangular rain catcher becomes a potent metaphor for one entity comprising another and the body as the receptacle of the material and the sublime.
