Harmony in Being
Surya Pande
Harmony in Being explores the correlation between physical making and spiritual wellbeing. It grew from the belief that motion, movement, and physical practices have a unique way of soothing the mind.
Growing up in Bali, repetitive movements—such as weaving, dancing, and preparing offerings— were meditative practices that helped me heal my broken spirituality. It wasn’t until I moved abroad to attend Parsons that I found myself appreciating these traditions and practices, and subconsciously sought out those physical, repetitive movements through printmaking. Which leads me to question: How can the practice of printmaking and the expression of one’s body coexist in the realm of spiritual healing?
Harmony in Being seeks to communicate this concept through a three-minute monoprinted animation that visualizes Balinese Hindu practices. A supplemental artist book documents my process of physical making. The process is an integral part of this project—as important as the final product—and something I want to highlight as these tangible practices help me reconnect to my ancestral roots and enrich my well-being. Creating offerings is a big part of Balinese culture and has been a grounding meditative practice in my life. An offering is foremost a gift and presenting this animation is like my offering piece to whoever is watching.