Neha Choksi and Rachelle Rojany
Swing for friends (used in Faith in friction)
2017
Silicon rubber and stainless steel
Unique prop


 

ARTIST NOTE

In the spirit of their friendship, Neha Choksi and Rachelle Rojany’s “Swing for friends…” incorporates 12 swings in a closed circle—as a sacred space, a chora, like a well for all to draw from, a drum circle that hypnotizes with its rhythm.  It is a prop for harmonizing movement used in Choksi's film, "Faith in friction," 2017.  The circle was inspired by thinking about the self as coming into being through community energy, cooperations and tensions. 12 seats were chosen for the 12 positions in a clock face, the 12 months in the lunar and solar cycles, the 12 sections of fingers, the Mesopotamian counting system, and the ancient count of a dozen.

The swing has been characterized by Choksi as a baroque kibbutz. This prop evokes and epitomizes the spirit of the many friendships and interpersonal vectors underlying and refreshing Choksi’s ambitious multi-channel work, “Faith in friction,” first exhibited at her solo show at the Manchester Art Gallery.  “Faith in friction” features the artist and her friends gathered together on the construction site for an expansive and modernizing Jain ashram in India. The swing was installed in the raw concrete shell for the meditation and prayer hall.  Even though there are 12 seats on the swing, Choksi always intended less than 12 participants, enjoying the idea of empty spaces waiting to be occupied.  With “Faith in friction” Choksi tests her conviction that to learn to be oneself, one always needs others. 



EXHIBITION HISTORY for prop
Frieze London
Dhaka Art Summit
Samdani Art Foundation Collection



RELATED WORKS:

Faith in friction, 2017
A Stone’s Throw, 2017
Charge, 2017-2021
Elementary, 2018-19
Hierarchy Study, 2022