Installation art is an artistic genre of three-dimensional works that are often site-specific and designed to transform the perception of a space. Generally, the term is applied to interior spaces, whereas exterior interventions are often called public art, land art or intervention art; however, the boundaries between these terms overlap. – Source Wikipedia
“Threads and Threads” in the artists own words is to reveal and understand conflict and war through observations and conversations that have been woven into the fabric of the lives of people, whether directly or indirectly affected.
The artist took his inspiration from stories of the Siachen Glacier, where India and Pakistan have been zealously guarding their territories, and soldiers posted at 17,000 feet to serve their three-month terms on one of the highest battlefields of the world.
The Review
I don’t get installation art.
Speaking of the environment in which the exhibit was set – the artist wanted to recreate the Siachen Glacier – AC set for razor sharp nipples – Check 
Once the crowds walked in, the artist began detailing the thought process behind each of his pieces. To give you one example – there was an exhibit called “537”.
The artists narrative on this:
“537 is an entreaty for peace, a call to end the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, who have been fighting for control over the Siachen Glacier for the last several decades. Coelho has used gauze fabric as a metaphor for the care, protection and healing of the many lives lost during the conflict. The white bandages, which have been rolled and assembled together, add up to a total length of one mile and represent the Siachen Glacier, which is 47 miles long. This was the first artwork created for the Siachen Glacier Project and has continued to inspire the development of new works.”
I appreciate that there is so much sentiment and emotion behind this piece, but I am reminded of Karl Pilkington’s analysis:
I by no means discourage anyone from visiting art installations, after all everything should be tried at-least once.
It would be more realistic if the “art installations” are referred to as “experience / thought walk-through’s” – very akin to a string of interesting stories and ideas tied with a theme and props to help tell that story.
But life is an art installation like no other, so keep your eyes peeled for the everyday. There are installations and narratives everywhere you look.
Stroll along a route you have never taken before, and you could find a narrative even in the ordinary.
