Fluid narratives: a cinematic dialogue between two rivers

This project is supported by “Atelier Arth”. Flowing Narratives is an interdisciplinary research project exploring the Brahmaputra River (Assam, India) and the Garonne River (Toulouse, France): two rivers at opposite ends of the globe, both undergoing accelerated transformation caused by climate change.

Led by the artist-researcher duo Priyanka Das Rajkakati and Imon Raza, supported by the Godrej Design Lab 2026 grant and the Institut Français India (as part of the Indo-French Year of Innovation 2026), the project brings together satellite data from Earth observation, field documentary work, community narratives, and analog photography to build an emotionally resonant and scientifically grounded portrait as well as a comparative study of these two river systems under climate stress.

A distinctive element of the project is the use of water and river sediments from each site to develop analogue photographic prints, directly integrating the material presence of rivers into the artwork. Another innovative idea is the exploration of “climate objects” – objects that were once used in everyday life, but are no longer relevant to climate change. The project also includes video documentation of stories from riparian communities most severely affected by climate change, resulting in several climate communication deliverables including a short film, art prints and publications.

By weaving our human and river stories with satellite images and artistic practices, Flowing Narratives relies on an essential model for climate communication: a model that complements scientific knowledge with artistic intuition and direct community experience.