movements that shape a city

Photo Essay by Alisha Vasudev

The human species is a force of nature.

Our imprint on the planet is unmistakable and surrounds us everyday. So much so, that a large part of the human race is on a constant mission to seek solace, discover untouched places, go where many of our own do not live. Be it that remote waterfall you want to visit with your friends during the monsoon or NASA’s historic operation of Ingenuity on Mars on April 19th, 20211; we want to seek, conquer, and leave our mark.

What if we took a step back, zoomed out a little from our human centric world.
Long before humans roamed the earth; atmospheric, oceanic, and geologic processes over billions of years played an integral role in creating an environment conducive to our existence.

This photo essay is an attempt to take a look at the kinetic movements that have shaped the megalopolis that is Mumbai, that as of 2018, close to 20 million people call home2.

What existed here before?
Before Mumbai became the film and financial capital of the country. Before the Quit India Movement and reclamation of the islands. Before it was colonised. Before the Koli community called it home.

Rock structures that formed over the Reunion Hotspot over 60 million years ago3 and since travelled north of the equator during the continental drift4; the 50 million year old Arabian Sea5 that has enabled trade, transportation, fishing livelihoods, and a source of oil and natural gas; the 5 million year old6 southwest monsoon that we depend on for replenishing groundwater and city reservoirs form the foundation of this city we call home.

Ancient rocks, rivers, creeks, tidal flats, forests, and monsoons all define one of the world’s most densely populated cities today; juxtaposed against infrastructure developments, a kinetic force in their own right, we see this constant tussle for space between human and environment.

1- https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-s-ingenuity-mars-helicopter-succeeds-in-historic-first-flight
2 – https://population.un.org/wup/Publications/Files/WUP2018-Report.pdf 
3 – http://suvratk.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-geology-of-mumbai.html 
4 – https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/continental-drift/
5 – https://www.britannica.com/place/Arabian-Sea
6 – https://www.ias.ac.in/article/fulltext/jess/109/03/0315-0328

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editor's note

Volume 10

contact | shadow | fringe

I’ve been reflecting on the theme for our tenth volume, a lovely milestone that coincides serendipitously with the warehouse’s tenth year, and how it feels apt for the moment we find ourselves in currently. The theme straddles a threshold. The movement from this side to the far side. It isn’t inherently accompanied by an emotion. And yet, I feel it suggests a sense of hopefulness. 

This isn’t in a vacuum but is influenced by two events that concern themselves with a tremendous threshold: our atmosphere and the expanse beyond it. I am referring to the successful flyby mission around the moon by the Artemis II and the release of the film “Project Hail Mary” (adapted from Andy Weir’s novel of the same name). These two events, coinciding in this manner, serve less as random happenstance and more as a reminder, as Carl Sagan said, “The Cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff.” A reminder that everything out there, is also everything in here. It serves as a reminder for hope that as we resume our exploration of the darkest depths of the universe, we must take that strength to step forward from our own personal shadows.

Shadows can be freeing. There is comfort in creating, expressing, and working without scrutiny or pressure or expectation. It has potential for great freedom, movement, and discovery. However, when the driving force isn’t exploration then it can be crippling and lead to paralysis. In those moments, “coincidental” events like these can be arresting and provide a sense of hope that the next step is all that matters. One step at a time soon becomes many past an imposing threshold. As we gather momentum, pressure is bound to build. It is here, with changed circumstances, that the intention must persevere. Learning the rules, allows the impact of breaking them to feel that much sweeter, but that isn’t necessary. Acting from pure instinct allows for an innate expression to present itself. It is balancing this, instinct versus experience, that proves vital to take experience into one’s stride with child-like instinct and intention.

Our focus, at imprint and G5A, on independent stories allows this freedom. It is something we work to preserve so that the experience of ten volumes and ten years, respectively, does not weigh us down but lifts us up through the shadows and into the expanse. This is not easy but it is simple. When you default to curiosity and wonder, it isn’t a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’.

We’re excited for Volume 10 and everything it will hold.