KĀṆIKE (ಕಾಣಿಕೆ) Lang: Kannada, noun
is rich in meaning. We embrace most of them:
1. (of) vision
a) the act or power of seeing with the eye; sense of sight;
b) the object seen;
c) something supposedly seen by other than normal sight; something perceived in a dream, trance, etc. or supernaturally revealed, as to a prophet;
d) the experience of having such a perception or revelation; e) the act or power of anticipating that which will or may happen; anticipation.
2. something given to show respect, friendship, affection, support, etc.; a present; a gift.
3. a general contribution to the society, for a cause etc.
MISSION STATEMENT
As a studio, we are dedicated to adapting historic and alternative processes of photographic printing, book making, olfactory art, ceramics, photolithography and more—to contemporary narratives. Our goal is to create art that is organic, handmade, traditional, and slow, embracing the imperfections and reflective nature of each piece.
We are committed to engaging with the communities around us, nurturing lesser-known artistic practices, and providing a platform for emerging artists to experiment and showcase their work across various mediums.
By fostering collaboration, inclusivity, and exploration, we aim to disrupt conventional structures of artistic authority and empower artists to express their narratives authentically and autonomously.
Started in late 2019, Kanike Studio was born out of a collective need for a dedicated, creative space for four of us artists. With no formal background in art, the idea of setting up a studio of our own was both exciting and intimidating.
We realised that it was much more than having our own darkroom—it gradually evolved into a sanctuary for exchanges and conversations between the four of us, as well as our fellow artists. During the pandemic it became a refuge, helping us confront reality and seek solace in the quiet comfort of each other’s presence.
Kanike Studio is located in Bengaluru, India.
Although our practice involves a variety of mediums, we are partial towards historic, alternative and analog processes—of photographic printing, in particular.
Most of the processes involve the use of hands and skill to a large degree resulting in unique, one-of-a-kind prints. Alongside our darkroom explorations, we are constantly seeking ways to integrate these processes as part of our contemporary narratives.
We created the studio with these intentions:
- A space to exercise our creative needs
- A safe, diverse and inclusive space to coexist
- A space to indulge in conversations and collaborations
- A space to share new learnings
- A space to read, respond and critique
- A space to foster artists across disciplines
- A space for communities to forge and congregate
- A space which, over the course of time, will transform and evolve
Artists
Aparna Nori
Photographer and visual artist based between Singapore and Bangalore.
Indu Antony
Multidisciplinary artist based out of Bangalore and Kerala.
Krishanu Chatterjee
Photographer and lens-based artist.
Vivek Muthuramalingam
www.vivekm.com
Julie
Processes at Kanike
Anthotype
Chlorophyll print
Cyanotype (including glass, wood and cloth)
Wet Cyanotype
Wet plate collodion (negative and positive)
Vandyke Brown
Salt print
Albumen print
Gum oil print
Tri-colour gum bichromate print
Gum bichromate on Cyanotype
Black and white film developing
Silver gelatin
Colour film developing
Pinhole photography and Solarograph
Photo lithography on ceramics
Hand building and wheel ceramics
Olfactory art
Artist Book
Jolly Bird
A collaborative hand-bound artist book that was co-created at Kanike Studios during the pandemic. The book is an intimate, insightful and deeply personal expression of what we felt, what we felt for during the dark days of the pandemic. The book presents within its leaves, photographs, drawings, prints, interjected by dark and comical headlines that were seen in the local newspapers during that period.
10.8 cm x 15.3 cm
132 pages
Hardbound, coptic stitched book
Digitally printed pages
No. of editions: 50
Nānu
Handmade soap
Nānu (‘I’ in Kannada), a handmade soap which is created as an art work in collaboration with soap maker Ranjini in Kerala. Kānike worked closely with her to develop the product which we conceptualised.
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