Aida Ali

29.Any object whose purpose of existence or production escapes any logic?

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28.An object, which in your opinion should never have existed in the first place?

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27.A thing, which you always held dear or close, but never used even once?

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26.An object that you always essentially possessed but never bought yourself even once?

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24.Any object, whose underlining/governing systems you always wanted or tried to replicate?

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22.Did you experience an object that helped you think out of the box? Which pushed you to discover a mind’s elasticity?

The negative space in the visual makes the eyes travel along and trace the features and actions. The mind has the ability to imagine what the eyes cannot see.

Aida Ali

19.Are there any things that instill instant fear in you?  
I feel a certain amount of pressure and conscious stiffness that my body develops around this object. Even when this isn’t plugged in, I am reluctant in holding it freely. This is based on conditioning and experiences revolving around the object. The impact of conditioning is long lasting on the interactions we have with objects.

Aida Ali

18.Have you ever witnessed an object becoming a thing? 

This is a 14 year old image when I was experimenting and playing with my shadow and creating optical illusions. The shadows of stationary objects depend on other factors to move and cast at different angles as opposed to the shadow of a mobile living being.

Aida Ali

17.Are there any things in your vicinity or space that you used/possessed alone, but now believe that they should have been shared?

Aida Ali

12.If you were to start a personal museum or collection, what would it contain?  
The sink is placed for undergrad students of fine arts to wash their brushes, pallets and equipment. The paint marks and drippings over the course of years have turned it into a living art installation. It is a visual evidence of the passage of time and marking of the people who have used it. It is creating a visual that holds value in space and time.

Aida Ali

10.Any man-made object that was designed so well that it had the sensitivity, balance, proportions, function or the poise of a living being?

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9.An object that remains nonexistent in material world, yet exist as somehow real in your emotional, psychological, or intellectual space?

The death of a relative. My grandfather used to pat me gently on the cheeks and make sure I have had food. I have often found myself missing his presence and words of wisdom. The concept of passing away from the world and being nonexistent in a physical reality, but existing in thoughts and emotions is surreal.

Aida Ali

7.Did you ever raise or grow any object? 

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6.Object (s) whose structure or architecture is thought provoking or challenging for you?

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4.Any object that you deeply and intensely desire (d)?

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2.Any inert object you found to be physically or emotionally overpowering?

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30.Something, which is a commodity by every definition of the word, but you approach or understand it otherwise?  
This object holds an intangible value in my thought process for I see it as a piece of sculpture. It appears to me as an interactive art installation. The color gives me a hint of Van Gogh painting ‘Bedroom in Arles’. It seems like a reminiscent of this painting that has similar chairs. It creates a 3d environment for that painting in reality.

Aida Ali

31.Any thing that encouraged or enabled you to stay put in a certain state of mind? Something that proved to be an anchor, a reminder, a carrier, or a barrier? 
A souvenir from the managers of shrine ‘Nizam ud din’. The thread is considered a good luck charm and holds a symbolic value. It’s a reminder in reality of a place and emotions tied to it. This object has the ability to recreate the place in my imagination as it serves a reminder of the visit. It puts me in a realization of a spiritual journey. I searched the symbolic value of red and found the text :’ Red thread of fate. The two people connected by the red thread are destined lovers, regardless of place, time or circumstances. This magical cord may stretch or tangle, but never break.

Aida Ali

32.Did you ever become an object, or at least tried to become one?  
This is a still from the video ‘mannequin challenge’. It required me to stay stationary for the duration of shooting. The posture and facial expressions have an uncanny and creepy resemblance to that of a mannequin. The “tags” on social media have impacts on groups of people to take part in the movements.

Aida Ali

33.Do you have an object, which puts you under a state of stress, shame or pressure?  
This object puts me under a certain amount of consciousness and pressure as the culture of the region requires for females to cover up. The decisions of wearing garments are unknowingly based upon the standards set by the society and social construct. The absence of this garment can generate body image issues. It almost acts as a protective barrier and a mask to fit in. The amount of time it remains in contact with the body makes it seem like an extension of the body. The stress of concealing and the shame of visibility remain constant on a subconscious level.