Sunday, February 06, 2011

Interview with ArtIndea- Part 2

Continued from Part 1 of the Interview....

What is The ArtIndea Project all about?
ArtIndea Project is an organization that works with and through the Indian arts, both visual and performing. We are inspired by the challenges that are created at the intersection of arts, media and education as well as the intricate layers that work between self-identity, nationality and globalization. We create media, educational programs and art, in order to explore Indian arts and expand awareness about them to common public; both children and adults. We also document existing art forms and practices across India as part of our educational media initiative.


Are there others in this space? In India? Abroad?
There are different organizations that are working towards promoting art and specifically Indian art among children as well as adults. The Madras Craft Foundation, The National Folklore support Centre, India Foundation for the Arts, Tarabooks, Kreedatoys, as well as the Crafts council of India have different programs/ products that reach out to children. However the work is varied and different and each organization has a different approach.

What is your vision for ArtIndea?
We are committed to celebrating life through art. We believe that through art, we can reach ourselves and discover pride, responsibility and identity in the process. We envision celebrating beauty and honesty through the Indian arts.
Our mission is to
· To expand awareness, deepen understanding and contribute to new research in the field of Indian arts in both academic and non-academic ways.
· To work with folk, tribal and contemporary artists to co-create new materials.
· To raise critical questions about creativity in the modern global space and role of nationality in the creation of art.
· To think, feel, hear, listen, see and celebrate yourself and things around you.

It is focused on both children and adults. We have different programs/ products that target different age-groups.

What is your opinion of art museums in India? Especially towards children?
Museums can be a great resource for learning and wonderful activity centres. However, museums in India are yet to tap this tremendous resource. While there are traditional educational trips that students take to the museum, the joy of discovering art, the exploration of both modern and ancient arts, the excitement of traveling through historical periods, while using history as a lens to understand and view the present are yet to be fully exploited.


Museums could become great bridges by taking a more active role in Children’s education and having special programs that engage children as well as organizing information and spaces in such a way that it is more engaging and entertaining for children.


How do you see parents/ schools helping on such an initiative?
Parents and Schools need to be more open to the arts in general and understand that arts are not just creative skills, but an important aspect of human language that will be an asset to their children, whatever line of specialization they may choose later on.
Secondly they should nurture art in their children, encourage them to explore and not be harshly critical of their efforts.
Thirdly, parents and schools should also educate themselves on understanding what art is, and not be quick to judge their children’s works based on their expectations, prejudices or beliefs about good art.

Lastly, they must also be open to spending money on materials, quality teaching, and documentation of their children’s works.

Any words for the ST team and our readers? Any anecdotes you would like to share?
If you think art is mysterious, start playing with it. It is like getting into a rain puddle, letting the rain splash, the mud spatter on your clothes, making paper boats, letting the fragrance of the earth fill you, and basically having a great time feeling and playing with the earth. If you think art is fun, spread it.

Thank you ladies, for your enriching perspective and efforts in the realm of art.

5 comments:

nanands said...

"...arts are not just creative skills, but an important aspect of human language..." well said!

MindfulMeanderer said...

"If you think art is mysterious, start playing with it. It is like getting into a rain puddle, letting the rain splash, the mud spatter on your clothes, making paper boats, letting the fragrance of the earth fill you, and basically having a great time feeling and playing with the earth. If you think art is fun, spread it."
what a beautiful way to put it... :) I could make this my anthem.
Nice interview Art. Thanks for sharing.

artnavy said...

nanands- A lot of gems in these interviews!

Thanks Shruti- I thought this would resonate with you

Srivi Kalyan said...

Hi Nanands and Mindful meanderer - Thanks. And thanks for those wonderful questions on the interview Art.

Artnavy said...

Srivi

Thanks for stopping by.

Your and Bindhu's perspectives on art have been interesting and some of teh answers are so very beautifully put!

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