Issue No. 28 – Control

What is the nature of control? The desire for it—and to be free of it—are essential parts of both life and art.

Sarah Singh Film Premiere: I thought I was dreaming...

Sarah Singh Film Premiere: I thought I was dreaming...

© Sarah Singh

© Sarah Singh

By Mariah McCloskey

Peering around the edge of the door, Kirat Young gradually withdraws from view. Following her down the halls, we are able to join her as she looks back at her past. Director Sarah Singh beautifully captures the grace of India's first supermodel. In her short experimental film, I thought I was dreaming… Singh takes a wonderfully new perspective on renowned fashion designer, Yves Saint Laurent, and the inspiration he gained from India.

Featuring only Young, Singh filmed in the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Paris. A model and muse for the late designer, Young was the face of the collection, Ballet Russes, which sparked the age of ‘ethnically inspired’ fashion. Harnessing the exotic aspects of India, Saint Laurent's work became revolutionary for the fashion world and for over a decade, he used Young to be the face of his revolution.

Often inspired by India, Singh lets the viewer join Young on her journey through the museum. Singh masterfully weaves together completely different shots and puts them side-by-side. She catches Young staring off into the distance, the thoughts dancing through her mind are left for the viewer to contemplate, while images of Saint Laurent's eastern-inspired designs are displayed beside her.

It is clear that Singh is honoring not only Saint Laurent but also her home in India. Born in Punjab, Singh was raised in the Royal family of Patiala. As a young child, her family moved to the USA, but Singh was able to reconnect with her homeland in her 20s. Her connection to India works its way into most of her projects and her inspiration takes center stage in many of her films. Influenced by both her mother and the changing atmosphere of India, Singh uses them to create art, experimental films, and documentaries. Her work is especially impressive considering that as a woman in India the mere fact that she is working, not to mention successfully, is looked down upon.

Embracing the beauty of both Saint Laurent’s designs and Young’s natural features, Singh pulls together the history and the art of Saint Laurent and Young’s dynamic relationship to create a unique take on India’s influence on the western world. Singh has created a masterpiece around the marriage of image and reflection.

Singh’s film premiered at an international art salon with the theme of Monument/Mirage --meaning the fort/the desert-- set in the UNESCO heritage site Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur. It includes seven artistic installations and three musical performances based in fashion, architecture, performance. The film will be displayed at Musee Départemental des Arts Asiatiques de Nice in France as part of the YSL show, opening April 5th running through October.

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