The exhibition "Protocols of Living" at Dhi Contemporary in Hyderabad brings together artists Shubhendu Karmakar, Gayathri T Santhosh, Soumen Ray, and Prajwal Naitam to explore the invisible systems—rituals, routines, and social conventions—that shape daily life. Karmakar uses iron sheets, dust, and paint to highlight material decay and overlooked details in public spaces, while Santhosh employs watercolor and embroidery to address collective memory, mortality, and humanitarian crises, including reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic.
The exhibition matters because it shifts focus from the systems themselves to the traces they leave on people, places, and lived experiences, encouraging viewers to become more aware of their surroundings. By examining how unseen structures influence behavior and memory, the show connects personal observation with broader social and environmental forces, offering a timely meditation on care, neglect, and resilience in a post-pandemic world.