Vickie Aravindhan (Los Angeles, CA) | November 2021

The third and final iteration of the Yali mask series is situated in the attic. This Yali is the softest in build and material, and was made is response to Justin Rabidu's, Air Mail and his legacy as an artist and citizen of the world. His contribution to Elsewhere exists here in the attic where it is arguably the quietest, most contemplative site of the museum. Here, the Yali will serve as a guardian to Justin's memory as well as all future peoples who reside in the attic and after as they return/journey on.

Vickie Aravindhan (Los Angeles, CA) | November 2021

This first iteration of the Yali (Hindu temple guardian) is made with collection wood. As it takes its shape and 'body', vitalized by the richness of Elsewhere's sociocultural history, the Yali's animacy in this case is activated by its role and duty as a guardian of the entry way to Elsewhere's living body. Yalis are mythological hybrid figures of the lion, elephant, griffin, and dragon, typically found in Hindu temple entry ways across India, South Asia and South East Asia. They are also commonly stolen as artifacts taken out of place and reinstated in museological contexts, with very little to no information of their beginnings. Considering all this, Vickie's hope is to introduce a familiar/guardian who has found its origin story here at Elsewhere to protect its peoples, histories, cultures and futures.