In Frac/Ture #1, galvanised steel tubes and clamp fittings, resembling skeletal bones and limbs, appear misaligned and twisted, evoking dislocated or fractured anatomy—like a body helplessly sprawled after a fall on the Siachen Glacier. Tightly wrapped soiled crepe bandages encasing one end of a pipe resemble a swollen injury, while a stained gauze bandage protruding from another evokes the remnants of a dressing, hinting at past wounds or trauma. A flat bed of straight and looped thin metal wires cradles fragile attempts at repair. The worn, grimy texture of the bandages reflects the relentless forces soldiers face on the glacier: biting cold, frostbite, and wounds – both physical and psychological. The framed photograph of interlocked and pulled-back fingers illustrates tense appendages, further suggesting the possibility of ruptured body parts. The palm appears to be examined or tested for strain, revealing palmar creases that echo the unpredictability of fate, much like the unforgiving posting of a soldier on the glacier.

Frac/Ture #1 is part of Baptist’s ongoing multimedia series, Frac/Ture, which explores the corporeal 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 emphasising the resilience required to mend and endure.

Frac/Ture #1 was first exhibited as part of the artist’s solo exhibition, It still hasn’t ended at Bâtiment IV, Esch-sur-Alzette, from 30 May to 14 June 2024. The exhibtion was supported by University of Luxembourg, Department of Social Sciences.