Viraj Khanna’s latest exhibition, BRAIN ROT, is a sharp, satirical take on our digital lives, hosted at Tao Art Gallery during Mumbai Gallery Weekend 2025. Equal parts provocative and visually stunning, this show delves into our social media-driven culture, confronting the habits we’ve normalized and the anxieties we’ve buried beneath filters and hashtags.
Inside the Artist’s Mind
For Viraj Khanna, BRAIN ROT is more than a critique—it’s personal. “This show reflects how I navigate the digital world. Social media influences how we act, what we post, and even how we perceive ourselves,” he explains. The exhibition holds a mirror to our online personas, exploring themes like validation and anxiety. Pieces featuring screenshots from Khanna’s own Instagram blur the lines between satire and self-reflection.“The distorted faces in some works comment on my delusion and frustration over something as trivial as likes,” Khanna adds.
Craft Meets Commentary
Khanna’s art isn’t just visually striking—it’s technically brilliant. He uses embroidery and patchwork to create surreal depictions of digital life. One standout piece layers embroidered imagery with patchwork to reflect the gap between expectations and reality. “The medium adds a certain strangeness, mirroring how we view ourselves online,” he says.
The Social Media Paradox
While Khanna acknowledges social media’s potential for creativity, he highlights its darker side: distraction and overconsumption. “Boredom is essential for creativity, but we’ve replaced those moments of stillness with endless scrolling,” he observes. Through his work, Khanna urges visitors to rethink their relationship with technology—without preaching, just provoking thought.
A Curatorial Masterpiece
Curator Sanjana Shah enhances Khanna’s vision, creating a gallery experience that’s equal parts dystopian and aesthetically beautiful. “The sculptures and textiles mirror daily life while highlighting the omnipresence of technology,” Shah explains. From sculptures photographed by “watcher” figures to carefully spaced displays, every detail invites viewers to pause and reflect.
A Snapshot of Our Time
BRAIN ROT captures the essence of 2025: a world addicted to screens, where curiosity and authenticity are at risk of extinction. “Khanna’s work doesn’t lecture – it invites self-analyis. It’s a mirror for our choices,” says Shah.
The Message: Live Fully, Not Virtually
Through vibrant absurdism and intricate craftsmanship, BRAIN ROT asks one simple question: Are we content living curated lives? As visitors leave Tao Art Gallery, they’re left to ponder their own screen time and how they can reclaim their reality. Because sometimes, the only way to detox from the digital is through art that’s impossible to scroll past.
All images courtesy: Viraj Khanna & Sanjana Shah