Clémentine Bedos: śakti avatāra

śakti avatāra is an augmented reality (AR) artwork exploring the intersection of ancestral practices and digital technologies. Mounted on aluminium, it uses a UV map—a 2D representation of a 3D human body’s surface in digital art—to depict a tantrik dhyāna (meditative visualization). Inspired by the tantrik sage Abhinava’s ānavā-upāya (individual embodied means), it combines the artist's grandmother’s maṇḍala drawings with a 43-second animated practice accessible via the Artivive app.

The work represents an early attempt to “creolise” ancestral knowledges with digital innovation, redirecting them toward healing and empowerment. First exhibited in the SUPERPOSITIONS group show at Staffordshire Street Gallery (2021), it has also been featured in Klima Magazine and Paragraph journal. śakti avatāra informed Bedos' PhD research, Techno-Tantrik Embodiment, at Goldsmiths, where Bedos explored how ancestral and emerging technologies can navigate oppression and foster resistance. This research has since evolved into immersive mixed-reality and virtual-reality performances.

 

Product Information

2022

Augmented reality print mounted on aluminum

26.1 cm x 32.7 cm

 

About the Artist

Clémentine Bedos is a French transdisciplinary artist of mixed heritage. With a background in law, philosophy, and fine art, Bedos explores the entanglement of personal and cultural histories through multi-sensual, site-specific performances.

Recent projects and performances include ‘Loving Fugitives, Runaway Images’ at Van Gogh House (London, 2023); ‘Metamorph’ at VSSL, Goldsmiths CCA (London, 2023), and Eastside Projects (Birmingham, 2024); ‘Burnt Shadow’ at Copperfield Gallery, and Ugly Duck (London, 2023); ‘Your Rage is Sacred (maa)’ at Goldsmiths Sonics Immersive Media Lab (London, 2023), and FormaHQ (London, 2024); ‘hemi-sync of the heart’ at Acall Festival (London, 2023).

Collection and Shipping

This work is part of our 2024 Winter Fundraiser and will be available for collection or shipping from 14th - 20th December. Please note all items will be shipped via Royal Mail Tracked 24 unless stated otherwise.