ArtBeings is Maharishikaa Preeti's magnum opus-in-progress in the field of conceptual art
Being ArtBeing, Published, 2016, Switzerland
Zurich and Mumbai based Maharishikaa Preeti is the first artist worldwide to create living works of art: ArtBeings. Underlying Maharishikaa Preeti‘s ArtBeings project, which was started in 2002, is the maxim “Everyone is a Potential Work of Art”. The publication BEING ART BEING Face to Face with Truth, documents for the first time her pioneering work in the field of conceptual art. A distinctive design concept by Zurich art book designers Baumgartner & Annaheim reflects the ephemeral, immaterial nature of this work. The book features a commentary by Zurich University of the Arts art historian Jörg Scheller, as well as an interview with the artist.
imessage questions from ArtBeings to the Artist - Being ArtBeing, 2016
Artist and ArtBeings, Rishikesh, India, 2016
From Maharishikaa Preeti's notes - The Trajectory
Talk to me - India Art Fair, Delhi, 2012
Rooftop Day happening, Zurich, 2016 - Artist’s Instructions to ArtBeings
Art appraising art
IG Halle, Switzerland, 2016
Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Mumbai, 2014
The making of an ArtBeing
In numerous international happenings since 2002, Maharishikaa Preeti has invited participants to the adventure of becoming a living work of art, an ArtBeing.
Over a hundred and fifty such happenings—some of which lasted up to six days and five nights—have already taken place in different countries, with more than a thousand participants. Those who are willing and ready to be sculpted by the artist, undergo an instruction process, after which they are declared ArtBeings.
The art form ArtBeing arises out of the communication and interaction between artist and participant. The artist engages them in subtle and intense transformative processes which through sense intensifying techniques and trainings sculpt them into living works of art—ArtBeings.
Want to transform into an ArtBeing? Want to meet the ArtIst? Drop us an email at info[AT]artbeings.net
'In the 20th century Joseph Beuys said: “Everyone is an artist”. In the 21st century I say: ‚Everyone is a potential work of art‘. Anyone willling to be sculpted, will undergo a process of instruction, before being declared an ArtBeing.’
ArtBeings ‘for sale’ at the India Art Fair
Text from EverybodyWiki https://en.everybodywiki.com/Preeti_Chandrakant
In June 2011, at the Art Basel, Maharishikaa Preeti first unofficially displayed her living works of art. In January 2012, she created quite a controversy at the India Art Fair, when she issued a call to collectors and institutions, to go down in the history of art, as the first ever collector of an ArtBeing.
Ostensibly up for sale at the India Art Fair were six humans who had been sculpted by the Maharishikaa in interactive happenings and could be purchased packaged, insured, displayed, resold, and auctioned.
The six ArtBeings mingled with curious and sometimes shocked visitors, conversing with them about the process of sculpting they had undergone, and the philosophy and technology underlying this new art form.
With this seminal work, Maharishikaa Preeti raises vital questions about freedom. She comments on the commodification of art and the art world’s focus on permanence, draws attention to the human being as a potential work of art, and introduces a new format for artists to explore. ‘It’s about shifting the interest from object to human’ she remarked.
Press Release, 2012
ARTBEINGS AT THE ART BASEL
UNOFFICIAL POP-UP-INTERVENTION, 2010 AND 2011
ArtBeings No. 12, No. 10 und No. 4
Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Mumbai, 2014
Press release exhibition FACE TO FACE, IG Halle, Rapperswil, Switzerland, 2016
THE ARTBEING: A NEW ART FORM
Maharishikaa Preeti focuses on the liberation from social and cultural imprints. She compares the ArtBeing to a statue, from which the layers of pigeon droppings accumulated over decades are chiseled away — until the true and original form emerges. Those who are willing to be sculpted by the artist, don’t have to fear being deformed into an object of the artist’s imagination — instead they face the true nature of their being. An ArtBeing is not only “art” but also “being”. The transformation brough about by the artist has tangible effects on the life of an ArtBeing and its environment. This art form is not about performance. It’s about living life as a work of art.
Curator places the ArtBeing on its pedestal, Kunst(Zueg)Haus Rapperswil, 2016
'In fifty years, maybe sooner, most artists will have stopped creating cumbersome objects. Galleries, museums and private collections will be alive with art that breathes.’
ArtBeings No. 3, No. 10 and No. 22 in interaction with visitors
Criteria a collector must fulfil before being permitted to purchase, resell or auction an ArtBeing.
- A prospective collector of an ArtBeing has to have almost mastered the emotion of jealousy.
- A prospective collector of an ArtBeing must be ready to allow an ArtBeing to teach her or him things she or he doesn‘t know.
- A prospective collector of an ArtBeing has to be able, at will, to switch on the experience of almostdetachment to any of her or his material or immaterial posessions.
(More criteria in the next book.)
The above mentioned criteria are subject to the degree of compassion—for both ArtBeing and prospective purchaser—that the artist can conjure up at the time of negotiation. The artist therefore reserves the right to change, modify, add, remove or otherwise alter the above criteria at her sole discretion.
ArtBeings No. 10, No. 12 and No 3 whispering Maharishikaa Preeti’s edictums, Rooftop Day happening, Zürich, 2016
Before becoming an ArtBeing, an ArtBeing becomes an ArtBecoming.
ArtBecoming, 2007 till 2019
ArtBeing, 2020 till present
Transformation on human
'In order to prevent ArtBeings from identifying too strongly with any attribute, including their numbers, numbers will now be re-issued soon'
ArtBeing No. ??, 2014 till present
Transformation on human
ArtBeing No. ??, 2012 till 2022
Fractional Transformation on human
ArtBeing No. ??, 2009 till present
Transformation on human
ArtBeing No. ??, 2003 till 2022
Fractional Transformation on human (No QA)
ArtBeing No. ?? & No. ??, 2007 till present
Transformation on human
