Stage 1 – Understanding Shadows
The exploration began with a simple box and a moving object a matchbox suspended on a string illuminated by two fixed light sources. As the object moved, the overlapping beams created zones of varying shadow intensity. Through this, I began to understand the relationship between umbra and penumbra, and how multiple light sources can create depth, motion, and ambiguity within a single confined space. It was an exercise in observing how light defines form, and how even small shifts in position can completely alter perception.
Stage 2 – Reversing
After discussing with my mentor, the experiment evolved — this time, the object remained still while the light became the moving element. This reversal changed the focus from movement to perception. The stationary object now became a medium through which light itself moved, transforming and reshaping the shadow across surfaces. I realized that light was not merely a tool for visibility but an active participant in shaping form. The experiment became about change without motion, exploring how stability in one dimension can still result in transformation in another.
Stage 3 – The Elephant and the Teapot
In the next phase, the exploration became more intentional — moving beyond just movement and intensity to the interpretation of form through light. I began experimenting with the idea that a single three-dimensional object could cast two entirely different shadows depending on how light interacts with it. The aim was to find a point where perception begins to shift — where one object holds within it multiple identitie
Stage 4 – Everyday Objects and Shadows
The latest stage translated that illusionary idea into something more tactile and accessible — using household materials such as forks, spoons, and bottles. These familiar items were arranged into single compositions that remained physically unchanged but transformed completely under shifting light
Stage 5 – The Character and the City of Shadows
The final phase transformed the shadow study into a lived experience — a narrative through which light and space could be felt. The story follows a solitary figure walking through the city as day turns to night. Every streetlight, reflection, and flicker becomes a reminder of the earlier experiments
