The Museum of Goa (MOG), Pilerne, will present A Voyage to Permanence, a three-day exhibition celebrating the visual language of independent filmmaker Purandar Chaudhuri from 12 to 14 August 2026. Conceived by Jooby Yohannan and curated by art critic Johny ML, the exhibition combines experimental cinema, photography, sound and visual essays, inviting audiences to experience moving images as contemplative works rather than conventional narratives. The exhibition will be held in Gallery 2 on the museum’s second floor, with a special film screening in the museum auditorium on the closing day.
Three Films Examine Migration, Labour and Memory
At the centre of the exhibition are Chaudhuri’s three experimental films Impressions of Mingling, Tremors, and Dhushor. Together, these works explore migration, labour, impermanence and the human condition through monochromatic imagery, sparse dialogue and an interplay between still and moving images. Rather than presenting documentary narratives, the films invite viewers into reflective spaces where abstraction and lived experience intersect. According to the exhibition note, the project encourages audiences to slow down and discover “the poetic possibilities that emerge between stillness and motion.”
Exhibition Programme and Special Events
The exhibition unfolds over three days with a different focus each day.
Highlights include:
- 12 August: Continuous screening of Impressions of Mingling alongside photographic works and alternative prints.
- 13 August: Continuous screening of Tremors within the exhibition space.
- 14 August: Special screening of Dhushor followed by an audience interaction with members of the creative team.
- Launch of the Goa Cyanotype Notebook, celebrating alternative photographic processes.
- A conversation on the accompanying photobook featuring Jayanth Kodkani and Nemiraj Shetty.
Purandar Chaudhuri’s Cinematic Language
Purandar Chaudhuri describes filmmaking as a medium that demands continuous experimentation. His visual style blends still photography with moving images, producing distinctive monochrome compositions that emphasise mood, silence and contemplation. Rather than relying on dialogue, his films use natural sound and carefully composed imagery to create immersive experiences that allow viewers space for reflection.
Although his films have been produced in recent years, Chaudhuri traces his cinematic journey back to his childhood in Kolkata, where he encountered the works of filmmakers including Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, Mrinal Sen and Charlie Chaplin. His practice has also gained recognition through earlier projects such as Life in a Bowl, which screened at several international film festivals.
Collaborative Curatorial Approach
The exhibition is the result of an interdisciplinary collaboration involving filmmaker Purandar Chaudhuri, curator Johny ML, exhibition designer Prakash Braggs, Jooby Yohannan, Jayanth Kodkani and Nemiraj Shetty. Their combined contributions bring together filmmaking, photography, design, publishing and curatorial practice into a unified exhibition format. The organisers describe the project as an attempt to expand cinema beyond the conventional screen and into the gallery space, where viewers can engage with moving images as visual poetry.
Museum of Goa as a Contemporary Cultural Space
Founded in 2015 by artist Dr. Subodh Kerkar, the Museum of Goa has established itself as one of the state’s leading contemporary art institutions. Located at Pilerne Industrial Estate, the museum promotes public engagement with contemporary art through exhibitions, education programmes and community initiatives, with a mission of making art accessible to wider audiences.
Visitors can attend A Voyage to Permanence from 12–14 August 2026 at the Museum of Goa, Pilerne. Further information about the exhibition is available through A Voyage to Permanence, while museum details can be found on the Museum of Goa website. Ticket and visitor information is available via the museum’s official visitor page.
Event at a Glance
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | A Voyage to Permanence |
| Artist | Purandar Chaudhuri |
| Venue | Museum of Goa (MOG), Gallery 2, 2nd Floor, Pilerne, Goa, India |
| Opening Date | 12 August 2026 |
| Exhibition Dates | 12–14 August 2026 |
| Curator | Johny ML |
| Project Conceived By | Jooby Yohannan |
| Exhibition Visuals | Prakash Braggs |
| Programme | 12 Aug – Impressions of Mingling 13 Aug – Tremors 14 Aug – Dhushor + Audience Interaction |
| Additional Highlights | Launch of the Goa Cyanotype Notebook Photobook conversation with Jayanth Kodkani & Nemiraj Shetty |
| Entry | Open to the public |
| Website | https://www.avoyagetopermanence.com |
Conclusion
A Voyage to Permanence offers visitors an opportunity to encounter experimental cinema within a gallery environment where film, photography and sound converge. By examining migration, memory and the passage of time through a contemplative visual language, the exhibition contributes to ongoing conversations about contemporary artistic practice. It also reflects the growing role of interdisciplinary exhibitions in expanding public engagement with cinema and visual culture.
