Friday, July 25, 2008

The Waste Art & Mixed Media Show




This event and concept was conceived at the Tube around the beginning of May 2007. It was a hectic event and like everyone involved will confirm, NOT smooth at all. We used to fight like cats and dogs during pre-production time but all the more for looking back and laughing about it now. :P

The main movers and shakers were Dipang, Samir, Bibek, Shailu, Roshan, Smriti, Kundan and me; not forgetting our many volunteers. Thank you all.

Attached is the final concept we hashed (!) for this project.

CONCEPT
BACKGROUND

The alarming waste, mainly plastic that saturates the region as landfill inspired PROD to organize an event that would motivate people to regard most discarded substance as a regenerative and recyclable resource conducive to the purpose of keeping Darjeeling clean.

We cannot alter the manner in which companies manufacture merchandise overnight, but we can change our conduct to be more ecologically friendly, saving our resources for another day and stopping places from becoming merely hosts for our garbage. Art can creatively bring attention to our careless, harmful, and unsustainable disposal practices by bringing the same refuse into the public's everyday life, and not allowing it simply to disappear into landfills, out of sight and consciousness. Those who see this prospective for art and encourage its practice can employ like devices in various arenas to increase the public's awareness and change individuals' actions.

While the prime goal of the event is of environmental awareness and a creative outlook to waste, the event also intends to arrive at the goal of providing a platform to the cultural and creative expression of the artists and creative professionals belonging to the Hills vis a vis the mixed media section of the show where creative liberty will not just limit them to the theme of recycled art.

All participating artists be it painters, photographers, cinematographers, designers (web and graphic), sculptors, tattoo artists, musicians, poets, writers and so forth will be sought to explore and showcase their respective art forms regardless of the theme.

Given the employment deprivation amongst deserving creative talent in the Hills, the event could also materialize as a means to garner beneficial professional clientele and outsourcing opportunities to the aspiring professionals.
THE EVENT
Darjeeling traditionally puts up a significant program every year commemorating World Environment Day on June 5th; for 2007 PRO.Darjeeling (PROD) proposes a four-day Waste Art and Mixed Media show to begin its involvement in the social and physical fabric of the Darjeeling Hills.
OBJECTIVE
Towards Art, Environment and Community
The primary objectives of the event would be

1. To create a platform for art and design in the Darjeeling Hills with a strong emphasis on recycling and waste while promoting local artists.

2. To highlight the availability and distribution of Art in terms of socio-economic structures of the region, by attaching importance to local resources and community wellbeing so that it is accessible to the broader, mainly the younger social groups in our society.

3. To inspire children and young adults to heed for waste as a renewable resource.

EVENT DETAILS
Title of the event PROTECT & PROMOTE Darjeeling
Theme Waste Art and Mixed Media Show
Duration June 5th 2007 through June 8th 2007
Venue Hayden Hall, Darjeeling
Timings 9 am – 7pm

THE PROGRAM
Towards education and outreach


Art education / promotion and career guidance workshops during the 4-day event are an integral part of the occasion. An auction towards the end of the event will be facilitated in an attempt to make it a profitable involvement for the artists concerned as well as being a PROD fundraiser.

Rousing young minds with an environment friendly attitude in Darjeeling is necessary; hence the participation and mobilization of schools and colleges for the event is a priority. Projects according to the waste art theme will be given to educational institutions to incorporate in their curriculum as well as display them in the art show.

A prize incentive will be awarded to the school with the best entry that will be judged by esteemed personalities of our town.

Every evening of the event will be cultural. Local musicians will perform original music (both digital and instrumental). Poetry and book reading sessions will also be held.

Discussions on Art and Media, Design, Waste Management, Film screenings will also be an integral part of the program. The show will entertain guest speakers from all relative fields and senior classical and local musicians.

A small eatery with comfortable seating arrangements will serve as a healthy informal environment for art enthusiasts / critics to voice their thoughts and views on various issues of concern and interest. Space will also be allotted to workshops and seminars.

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND
PRO.Darjeeling (PROD), is the implementing body of this particular event.

PROD envisions communities working together towards a progressive, productive and propitious society. It is a citizen’s collective with a genuine aspiration to nurture and care for Darjeeling by utilizing Music, the Arts, culture and socio-developmental volunteerism as mediums to motivate people to live a life of purpose, dignity and community service even during times of adversity.

PARTNERS
DLR PRERNA is a Darjeeling based organization working towards environmental justice in the Darjeeling Hills since 1996.

DARJEELING INITIATIVE is an organization that has been working towards the cultural upliftment of Darjeeling through the annual Darjeeling Carnival for the last five years.


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