Still Here
Still Here
Time, in the physical world, is one of the few universally shared dimensions—beyond ownership or control, at least for the time being. Spiritually, however, I experience time as neither linear nor fixed, but as multidimensional and omnipotent. It often feels supple and fluid. In my artistic practice, time functions as a fundamental medium, shaping conception, process, and creation. Establishing a conscious relationship with time is essential to transforming inspiration into form. My ongoing series, A Time Trilogy, explores and visualizes these layered perceptions of time.
Drawing from Eastern landscape traditions such as Sansui (山水), my paintings dissolve the boundary between subject and background. Nature dominates the frame, while human presence is minimal or symbolic, emphasizing an inner nature and spiritual connection. These landscapes reflect my inner states and invite the viewer into the work, rather than positioning them as a distant observer.
This approach is central to Archaeology of Transcending Light (A.O.T.L.), in which I reimagine landscape through contemporary abstraction, inspired by introspection and an inward process of concentration. The act of finding the Self feels like an archaeological excavation—as if uncovering ancient treasures. In this sense, past and future appear fluid and, ultimately, interchangeable.
The Japanese concept of Ma (間)—the space between—also deeply informs my practice. I understand Ma as a realm where duality comes to rest, where silence, space, and subtle perception allow meaning to emerge. In Tibet, the intermediate state between life and death is called Bardo—a realm in which different forms of life force are encountered and engaged. I find these cultural connections deeply resonant. This sensibility extends into my sound installations, which focus on atmosphere, frequency, and silence rather than structure, inviting deep listening and introspection.
Rooted in Eastern philosophy and informed by modern science, my work seeks a meeting point between spirituality and contemporary thought. This exhibition offers a contemplative space in which viewers may encounter stillness, expanded awareness, and the unseen dimensions of reality.
Jyoti Naoki Eri
Auroville, January 2026
Venue: Centre d’Art, Auroville, Tamil Nadu, India
Vernissage & music offering:
4:30pm Friday 20th February 2026
Shakuhachi flute by Kamal Mode
Tuesday to Friday 2 – 5.30pm
(Morning by appointment only)
Saturdays 21st, 28th Feb. and 7th Mar. 10am – 12.30pm / 2 – 5.30pm
Guided visit on Saturdays at 10.30am
Sunday & Monday closed