Alicja Kwade’s Superposition is comprised of interlocking steel frames that unravel similarly to a folding screen. Within this arrangement, some frames stand bare, while four are equipped with double-sided mirrors. The installation is complemented by bronze chairs, each adorned with a substantial stone sphere sourced from local Indian vendors that evoke planets and distant worlds. Positioned in front of or behind the frames, they occasionally mirror each other symmetrically or cast reflections within the mirrored panels. The interplay between transparency and reflection creates a spatial confusion that is hard to unravel. At first glance, it seems impossible to decipher how a chair can be visible, yet its reflection is not. As the viewer moves around the sculpture, one phenomenon might be explained, yet new ones emerge. The individual elements disrupt the view and open up spaces that create renewed confusion. The viewer’s perception is enhanced by the surrounding courtyard of the 19th-century Madhavendra Palace, with its own repeated motifs. Kwade’s installation invites contemplation into the essence of our existence and prompts us to reflect on our relationship with the world. Balancing poetry with critical insight, Kwade challenges the systems devised to eliminate uncertainty and bring order to an otherwise understandable universe.

Courtesy of the artist and Saat Saath Arts Foundation

@ Images Anubhav Syal