In Frac/Ture #1, galvanized steel tubes and clamp fittings, resembling skeletal bones and limbs, appear misaligned and twisted, evoking dislocated or fractured body parts. Soiled bandages, wrapped around and spilling out of the tubes, suggest injury, while the flat cradle of thin metal wires hints at fragile attempts at repair. The worn, grimy texture of the bandages reflects the relentless forces soldiers face: biting cold, frostbite, and wounds – both physical and psychological. The framed photograph of interlocked and pulled-back fingers illustrates tense appendages, further extending the idea of rupture.

Frac/Ture #1 is part of Baptist’s ongoing multimedia series, Frac/Ture, which explores the corporal and mental toll soldiers endure on the freezing Siachen Glacier. The title, rooted in Latin origins – the verb ‘frangere’ (to break) and the noun ‘fractura’ (the result of an action) – resonates deeply with the themes of the series. It embodies both the act and aftermath of breaking, whether it’s the fracture of bones or the shattering of mental resilience in extreme conditions. The series invites reflection on the profound impact of such fractures, while also emphasizing the resilience required to mend and endure.

Frac/Ture #1, was first exhibited as part of the artist’s solo exhibition at Bâtiment IV, Esch-sur-Alzette, from 30 May to 14 June 2024.