© Sahil Juneja

The blue walls of Jodhpur have become emblematic of the city's identity. My research project, if not a quest, entitled The Whisperers, looks at their characteristics and meanings in the urban landscape. From embroidery to weaving, from metal to stone, from touch to smell, The Whisperers explores the themes of repair and time, with a sociological and poetic approach.

Born in 1992, Deborah Fischer is a visual artist with a background in textile design from ENSAAMA and École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris. Her work spans sculpture, installation, and performance in public spaces, focusing on the transformation of "almost nothing"—items that have outlived their usefulness but hold emotional and aesthetic value. In April 2024, during her residency in Jodhpur, Fischer researched the city's historic walls and collaborated with local embroiderers, weavers, block printers, painters, basket weavers and more to create narratives of time and tradition. She shared her interdisciplinary approach in a public talk on May 5, 2024, at the Sardar government museum organised by The Public Arts Trust of India, emphasizing the significance of repair conservation and the spirit of place. Fischer also led workshops at Heusen Government Girls Senior Secondary School and Sri Aurobindo School, exploring the theme "Memory of Walls and Jodhpur City," and encouraging participants to reimagine old objects through art. Her collaborative work with eight local artisans will be showcased at the Jodhpur Arts Week, Special Projects Edition, from October 15 to 21, 2024.