Wholeness:
A Magical Journey
ATTN: Press, PR & Prospective Sponsors
This series has 2 more of 12 to be released. Month 11 dropped by Mid-July 2024 and we are looking to drop Month 12 at a launch event in New York around Mid-August. We are currently looking for Sponsors for this event and PR Coverage. Please email at saunakspace@gmail.com for a Media or Sponsorship Kit.
SUMMARY
“Wholeness; A Magical journey” is an on-going year long 12-part series that focuses on a single dominant color each month which is based on my overall sentiment of the month as an artist. The sentiment is based on events, emotions and causes that fuel my creative expression. By piecing together and breaking apart my bicultural identity, the concept uses ritual, styling and symbolism to convey the story.
By journaling, creative writing, meditation, storytelling and community collaboration to name a few, this series is a deeper-dive inspired by insights and takeaways throughout the journey.
GOAL
By using each month as a springboard for creative expression, my goal is to deconstruct the idea and expectation around Wholeness. By playing with the dichotomy of two cultures and identities my goal is to spark conversation and hold space for folks who feel they are trying to piece together and make whole…fragments of their own.
TAKEAWAY
Having grown half my life in India and half in the United States, I’ve struggled with the piece around “Who Am I”. It’s unfortunate that for so many folks, we’ve let the world, people and our environments dictate the most intimate (yet essential) stories of our lives.
And yet there are so many others who find themselves at the threshold of juggling two identities; socially and/or culturally.
I’m hoping the audience takes away an insight into how identity, queerness and social conditioning impact the trajectory of folks; especially from minority and under-represented diasporas. I’m hoping that we can dig deeper through the layers (and roadblocks) of our identities and come to a place of realization around a much larger identity; a design, a mission, a collective awakening.
MONTH 01
My sentiment this past month for January was “Healing” and the color that showed up was “White”. Because of my South Asian heritage, I gravitated towards white because it embodies the essence of ceremony. White also felt like the natural color choice to build upon for the rest of the year; pacing slowly into the layers of storytelling; the blank canvas.
In many cultures, white is the color of peace and purity but white also shows the absence of colors, symbolizing a detachment from worldly pleasures. In Hinduism, white is also a color of mourning, a color that pays homage to loss and so in this story, white is also a dedication to “him”; my Dad…in spirit.
The Ship, which is a family heirloom is a memorabilia metaphor for the weight we carry; our family name. And by introducing it into the space, I’m honoring and releasing the expectation around my own identity.
The Mogra flowers are native to the Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia, often used for decoration, meditation and worship. By channeling the strength of these flowers, I’m reclaiming my own divinity; a rite of passage that I feel is an important one.
CONCEPT & DIRECTION / SAUNAK SHAH
STYLING / NATHAN SWEET
HMUA / MAY OO
DP / KARAN SHARMA
EDITOR (VIDEO) / NISHANT MUKESH
PHOTOGRAPHERS
TONY OLIVER & ANUJ GOYAL
STUDIO: STUDIO CASA, BROOKYN
MONTH 01 - INSIGHTS
MONTH 02
My overall sentiment for February was “Inner Growth” and the color that showed up was “Grey”. Just like winter makes nature hibernate, the grey environment on the outside makes way for a sense of consciousness to look for the light within. I’ve been on a bit of a journey myself and for me it really meant staying still and listening to the voice within.
February was a month of prayer and fasting in many South Asian Hindu and Western Christian denominations. Ash Wednesday and Maha Shivratri both took place this past month. Ash happens to be the common thread between the two. The ultimate metaphor that reminds us through faith that “We are dust, and to dust we shall return.
I was inspired by the form of Ardha-nar-Eshvara which translates to the half-female Lord. It is believed that the Lord is Shiva and the female energy is Parvati or Shakti. The form signifies “totality that lies beyond duality”, “bi-unity of male and female in God" and "the bisexuality and therefore the non-duality” of the Supreme Being.
CONCEPT & DIRECTION / SAUNAK SHAH
STYLING / NIKITA SHAH
HMUA / SANJANA BHANDARI
DP / SWAPNIL JUNJARE
EDITOR (VIDEO) / NISHANT MUKESH
PHOTOGRAPHERS
JENNA ANDERSON & DILPREET SHAH
STUDIO: STUDIO CASA, BROOKYN
MONTH 02 - INSIGHTS
MONTH 03
My overall sentiment for March was “Outer Growth” and the color that showed up was “Yellow”. Holi; the Hindu festival of colors and the Spring Equinox both took place in March. It’s crazy to think how much this seasonal shift affects our overall state of mind. It’s a time of rebirth and renewal and creativity. Spring has a way of blossoming the inside on the outside.
March was the month of Holi; the Hindu festival of colors and the Spring Equinox. Holi signifies the triumph of good over evil and the Spring Equinox represents the solar festival and balance. Spring has a way of blossoming the inside on the outside. And in this one, it’s an explosion of yellow!
One of the principle deities worshipped during Holi is Lord Krishna who is termed as “Lord” but local folk narratives signify gender fluidity. He bends like a dancer, has a braid and a nose ring; some say to connect with Radha, his consort. These stories have so many positive messages of strength, acceptance and masculinity.
The ritual of tying a bouquet, the 108 repetitions and the cotton thread all have a tighter layer of significance. The modern day takeaway is to strengthen the relationship we have with ourselves and our community. A single thread may be weak but when wound over and over, it’s not one to easily break.
CONCEPT & DIRECTION / SAUNAK SHAH
STYLING / NIKITA SHAH
MUA / RANDY ROSENTHAL
DP / SWAPNIL JUNJARE
EDITOR (VIDEO) / NISHANT MUKESH
PHOTOGRAPHERS
SHRAVYA KAG & MAZ V-TALUKDAR
FLOWERS / FANCY FLORIST INC.
WARDROBE (SAREE) / SUNAINA RAO
STUDIO: STUDIO CASA, BROOKYN
MONTH 03 - INSIGHTS
MONTH 04
My overall sentiment for April was about “Nature” and the color that showed up was “Brown”. Nature vs Nurture is the root of this exploration. Our bodies and the ground beneath are daily reminders of who we are and where we come from...despite what we wear or where we live or what direction we choose to go. April was the month to celebrate Earth Day. It also my Birthday month…and yet, it felt more like a wake up call. A time to resow and reclaim.
The root of the exploration for April was Nature vs Nurture. Our bodies and the ground beneath are daily reminders of who we are and where we come from...despite what we wear or where we live or what direction we choose to go.
By drawing inspiration from Jaipur’s block printing techniques, pagan rituals and plant medicine; the concept is about journeying back to connect with the child within.
April was the month to celebrate Earth Day. We also planned this shoot on my Birthday (April 29th)…and yet, it felt more like a wake up call. A time to resow and reclaim.
The act of ritual is helping break the exterior; the nurturing and conditioning to emerge (like the Lotus) untouched from all the shit the world has thrown at us. It’s helping see the divinity in one’s own skin.
CONCEPT & DIRECTION / SAUNAK SHAH
STYLING / NIKITA SHAH
HMUA / TONI ROY
DP / KARAN SHARMA
EDITOR (VIDEO) / NISHANT MUKESH
PHOTOGRAPHERS
FELIPE M. & PHANI
WARDROBE
SHORTS / FANG
JACKET & SHORTS / AMAZON
STUDIO: STUDIO CASA, BROOKYN
MONTH 04 - INSIGHTS
MONTH 05
My overall sentiment for May was about “Memory (यादें)” and the color that showed up was Green. May was a month of remembrance. It was my Dad’s Birthday month (bless his soul). It was also a month to celebrate Mother’s Day. By channeling nature that represents the divine mother energy, the concept is a tribute to the Hero’s story; my Dad’s evergreen memory.
The alter of offerings is a dedication to my dad; each piece unpacking layers of memories. The fruit, the beer, the money symbolize abundance, indulgence and the everyday pursuit. And the jewelry represents the illusion of it all; our exterior persona. The modern day exploration if anything is to journey back to make a leap forward; for thy self.
CONCEPT & DIRECTION / SAUNAK SHAH
HMUA / JOHANA MONTOYA
DP / SWAPNIL JUNJARE
EDITOR (VIDEO) / NISHANT MUKESH
PHOTOGRAPHERS
ASHLEY JACKYLYN & SHARMEEN C.
ASSISTANTS / EDWARD NOUEL & TONY OLIVAS
ARTIST (HAND LETTERING) / SUEDE
NATURE / FANCY FLORIST INC.
JEWELRY / REEMAT DESIGNS
STUDIO / GRAYSCALE STUDIOS
MONTH 05 - INSIGHTS
MONTH 06
My overall sentiment for June was “Desire” and the color that showed up was Purple. June was also Pride Month and outside the gender binary of blues and pinks; purple felt like the color to channel the sense of spirit x self.
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The month felt like connecting with the archetype; a messenger of Desire. Inspired by mythology, folklore and psychology; Cupid, KamaDeva (Hindu God of Love, Desire & Pleasure) and Jungian Archetypes (Anima & Animus) the concept uses ritual, styling and symbolism to convey the story.
The objects of ritual are a rite of passage to channel into our shadows. June felt like that month for me; the need to let go of pride and tune into the things (most of which are stigmatized - sex, drugs, desire) that have helped me find comfort, strength and connection.
CONCEPT & DIRECTION / SAUNAK SHAH
STYLING / KAREEM KHUBCHANDANI
MUA / RANDY ROSENTHAL
DP / MARK CLAUDIO
EDITOR (VIDEO) / NISHANT MUKESH
PHOTOGRAPHERS
KADE ALPERS & PIP
ASSISTANTS / AMRITÉ, ARIANA SHAH, KAMANI SUTRA & TONY OLIVAS
BACKDROP / SAVAGE UNIVERSAL
FLOWERS / FANCY FLORIST INC.
JEWELRY / REEMAT DESIGNS
STUDIO / STUDIO CASA
MONTH 06 - INSIGHTS
MONTH 07
My overall sentiment for July was about “Fire” and the color that showed up was Orange. July was a hot one! Record high temperatures outside but also the fire within...bringing out the primate that’s tip-toeing light and shadows.
The idea is an inspiration from ancient rituals; a nod to Agni (God of Fire), Surya (The Sun God) & Theyyam rituals. A reclaiming of light within the darkness. The circle, the tree of life and the triangle symbolize the sense of self, the root of it all (and community) and symbol of fire.
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Fire is key element of this ritual; symbolically to stir up the fire within but also to cleanse, to draw energy from and to cross over and connect (beyond life and death) and to re-emerge; fueled by the flame.
CONCEPT & DIRECTION / SAUNAK SHAH
STYLING / NIKITA SHAH
HMUA / TONI ROY
DP / SWAPNIL JUNJARE
EDITOR (VIDEO) / NISHANT MUKESH
PHOTOGRAPHERS
KARSTON TANNIS & EDWARD NOUEL
ASSISTANTS / PHANI, STEPH & TONY OLIVAS
STUDIO / GRAYSCALE STUDIOS
MONTH 07 - INSIGHTS
MONTH 08
My overall sentiment for August was “Water” and the color that showed up was Blue. After being burnt from the heat in July, August felt like cooling off; like taking a cold shower and re-emerging as some(thing) new; a lotus, a reincarnation, a deity.
Water is the metaphor to satiate the desire within us. The concept is a spin from a classic portrait by Raja Ravi Varma titled “Padmini” from the nymph series. The application of blue is an exploration from classical and modern day references; Krishna, Shudras, the Virgin Mary to name a few. Many stories that limit (and free) our notion of the color blue. Adorned by purity, desire, vanity; the lotus depicting rebirth and immortality.
CONCEPT & DIRECTION / SAUNAK SHAH
STYLING / RUAFZA
HMUA / TONI ROY
DP / SWAPNIL JUNJARE
EDITOR (VIDEO) / NISHANT MUKESH
PHOTOGRAPHERS
SAWANI CHAUDHARY & SUKHMANI KAUR
ASSISTANTS / DEVANSHI, THE KULFI JAAN & EDWARD NOUEL
FLOWERS / FANCY FLORIST INC.
JEWELRY / REEMAT DESIGNS
STUDIO / GRAYSCALE STUDIOS
MONTH 08 - INSIGHTS
MONTH 09
My overall sentiment for September was about “Dreams” and the color that showed up was Pink. Channeling cosmic queer masculinity, the exploration aims to “awaken” and challenge the stature of pink.
September felt like a dream but are these dream-states so disconnected with our lived realities or do they provide clues from a utopian world that exists out there for us? The exploration is an inspiration from motherly figures, the softness of masculinity, the innocence of childhood, the first fantasy, the far away island, the untold secret, the box of oddities, the scent of a rose, the circus of pleasure, the fallen angel, the past and the present, the first love.
How much are our current lives informed by visions of the past? And can we ever feel sheltered?
-The exploration if anything aims to “awaken” and challenge the stature of pink.
STYLING / KULFI JAAN
ASSISTANT STYLING / CYNTHIA JELKE
PHOTOGRAPHERS
MANDAR PARAB & DEVANSHI
HMUA / RANDY ROSENTHAL
DP / MAZ V-TALUKDAR
Editor (VIDEO) / NISHANT MUKESH
ASSISTANTS
JENNIFER O'BRIEN, TONY OLIVAS, MUSKAAN ZAIDI & MEENA SHAH
JEWELRY / MAALICIOUS JEWELRY
FLOWERS / FANCY FLORIST INC.
STUDIO / STUDIO CASA
MONTH 09 - INSIGHTS
MONTH 10
My overall sentiment for October was about “Strength” (शक्ति) and the color that showed up was Red. There were so many iconic themes in October but Dusshera & Halloween stood out the most, particularly to draw strength from the persona of gods & demons, villains & superheroes.
What is our architype and who are we…beneath it all? Drawing from Drag culture; the concept is inspired by the Indian story of Goddess Durga and the half-Buffalo Demon Mahishasura, the fight between good and evil and the liberation of those who are fighting their own inner or external demons.
Red felt like the perfect color for this exploration. The color of blood and passion and but also courage, destruction and rebellion…the power of Shakti. Can we come face to face with our own demons? And where do we look to gather the strength we need.
STYLING / KULFI JAAN& CYNTHIA JELKE
PHOTOGRAPHERS
SWAPNIL JUNJARE, DEMETRIUS & ASHLEY JACKYLYN
SFX/MUA / STEF
DP / SWAPNIL JUNJARE
Editor (VIDEO) / NISHANT MUKESH
STUDIO / GRAYSCALE STUDIOS
MONTH 10 - INSIGHTS
TEAM / MONTH 01-10
Humans that have been part of the series so far.
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Thank you!
“There are forces that are making us second guess ourselves but there are also higher forces that are helping us see the divinity within us…amidst the chaos. I think we are all on the threshold of something magical and yet to untap this sometimes we need to revisit our past, ground our core, recalibrate our egos, question the norms and show compassion so we can serve up the true nature of our spirit; untainted from everything the world has thrown at us”.
– Saunak Shah