Renowned Kolkata-born artist Poulomi Basu has unveiled an immersive installation entitled Maya: The Birth of a Superhero, which invites participants to don a Virtual Reality (VR) headset and engage with the narrative by interacting with a tampon. In collaboration with British artist CJ Clarke, Basu co-authored and directed the 33-minute work with the goal of dismantling the stigma and taboo associated with menstruation.
Through a combination of mixed reality and VR, Maya: The Birth of a Superhero chronicles the story of a woman’s struggle against the societal stigmatization of menstruation and sexuality. Basu emphasizes that the use of interactive experiences within the installation is crucial, as it enables participants to directly confront and challenge the shame associated with menstruation.
The installation, an outcome of Basu’s extensive ten-year study into the taboo of menstruation in rural India and parts of Nepal, documents the progression from shame to empowerment. Centered around Maya, a young Indian immigrant living in London, the narrative unfolds her interactions with prejudices surrounding menstruation. The piece not only addresses issues prevalent in Eastern cultures, but also delves into misogyny and patriarchy in the Western world.
Featuring notable talents such as Indira Varma from Game of Thrones and Charithra Chandran, the installation sees Varma embody the superhero role while also narrating the immersive story. Basu’s objective is to depict a superhero from South Asia with agency, seeking to alter the narrative and illustrate that taboos and shame exist in Western societies as well.
Maya: The Birth of a Superhero is included in the Immersive Competition at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, where it made its debut in May. The official selection comprises eight competing works and six non-competitive immersive pieces. A result of collaborative efforts between the United Kingdom, France, and the United States, the installation was initially presented at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas in March of this year.
Utilizing a Meta Oculus Quest 2, 3, or Quest Pro headset, the immersive experience explores the evolution of hand-painted drawings into 3D imagery. Basu underscores the significance of ancient global Southern mythology and archaeology in manifesting feminine divinity and power. The installation seeks to offer a psychological understanding of the collective isolation experienced by menstruating women.
Moreover, Basu’s personal health conditions, including endometriosis and menstrual disorders, have influenced her artistic decisions. Through Maya: The Birth of a Superhero, she aims to shed light on the shame and stigmatization surrounding menstruation and empower women.
The Cannes Film Festival has previously featured virtual reality works, notably in 2017 when acclaimed filmmaker Alejandro Iñárritu presented his installation, Carne y Arena (Virtually Present, Physically Invisible), which garnered widespread acclaim and earned Iñárritu a Special Academy Award.
Maya: The Birth of a Superhero is scheduled for global release on May 30 and will be available for free download on Meta Quest. The installation promises to provide a transformative experience, challenging societal norms and highlighting the importance of embracing the power of menstruation.
In conclusion, Poulomi Basu’s Maya: The Birth of a Superhero stands as a testament to art’s capability to dismantle societal barriers and urge viewers to reassess societal attitudes towards menstruation and womanhood.