The present is the residue that shapes the future

KBF Let's Talk- Vivan Sundaram Memorial Lecture

Kochi / December 29, 2025

Kochi, Dec 29: Algerian artist Kader Attia has opined that everyone living today embodies the remnants of the past, each contributing to the intricate tapestry that will shape the future.

Kader Attia was commemorating the renowned artist Vivan Sundaram during the "Let's Talk" lecture series organised by the Kochi Biennale Foundation.

The lecture took place at Bastion Bungalow, the pavilion venue for the sixth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale.

In his lecture titled Unpredictable Memories, he described how, since ancient times, individual human lives have influenced future generations and their nature.

“The first thought that comes to mind when I think of the word memory is the mother. Later, family, home, and surroundings will also be immortalised in the mind,” he said.

In his lecture, Kader discussed the phenomenon of phantom pain experienced by individuals who have undergone limb amputation.

Even after a limb is removed, patients may continue to feel pain in the area of the missing limb for a period of time.

The principle behind phantom pain is that, despite having no biological cause, the sensation of pain persists at a psychological level.

Kader explains that this pattern is also found in human nature and is transmitted from one generation to the next. He emphasises that it is not merely a matter of genetic similarity.

He emphasises that individuals and societies, whether consciously or unconsciously, significantly influence the future. He has replicated this concept using artificial intelligence.

During World War II, soldiers took pictures of themselves standing in art galleries, and in those photos, they resembled paintings by famous old masters.

He argued that even artificial intelligence cannot completely escape this lingering influence. He stressed the importance of living life guided by one's abilities, morality, and common sense.

After the lecture, attendees actively engaged in the question-and-answer session led by Mario D'Souza, director of programmes at the Kochi Biennale Foundation.

ENDS