hcaglobalarts
Just another WordPress.com siteThe Process
by Prittam Priyalochan
Getting here has been an unbelievable experience for me. I still can’t imagine now that I’m actually here. It’s a dream come true for me.
Seeing all the artists that are a part of the Global Art Exchange…wow… I remember looking at their pictures and wondering how they’d be, but meeting them for real is such a privilege… all the artists and the Harrison Center family.
I’m usually a late riser– I work late and sleep late. But here, every morning I’m excited to come back to my canvas, to my studio, and I want to get up early. I’m really comfortable here with the working process– because of my medium, because of the other artists, they support me. My inspiration, my spirituality, is always close by me, surrounding me. I’m having a happy working time, a happy engagement with this program.
Working with all professionals is a big learning experience for my life.
Holy Cow!
Quincy-
I don’t know where to begin. I have done many things. I have been through many things. This experience has pushed me like no other. As a visual artist, language is not my first choice for expression or dialogue so putting any of the events on this page seems near pointless. What has really mattered are the experiences, the moments, the conversations and interactions, the spells of engagement/sharing/collaboration that have taken place in such a SHORT amount of time.
I create art to remind myself that we are all animals with a full range of emotions and feelings always out of balance but struggling for equilibrium. I also create to be part of and affect my community. This experience has proven how human and beautiful and wonderful and flawed we all are as we strive to make something that reaches beyond ourselves.
I could blabber on for hours but the words are not the point. Moumita, Prittam, Beth and Jonathan have all come together not knowing what to expect but the outcome has been just as I had hoped: one beautiful, universal, shared experience and our time together and visual works are historical documentation of the power of art as it touches community in a literally broad sense.
I am grateful. I am humbled.
Quincy
Challenging
Challenging. This is the word I believe appositely describes all of my experience with the Global Arts Exchange. A superficial reading might render this word negatively. Especially when, in toto, challenging refers to working with others, my concepts, the execution of my work, the time-frame, etc. Actually, it’s quite the opposite.
Challenging is a positive idea in this context. Working with other artists is absolutely challenging. Typically, I work alone. This experience has allowed me to step out of my boundaries as an artist and pursue something greater. For instance, one of the other artists began asking me point blank questions about a certain physical aspect of my photographs (at this point I had not begun shooting). The person challenged me to think if my concept would actually translate into what I hoped for. They weren’t negative but wanted me to think holistically about my work. Really it’s quite encouraging knowing that others want me to do the best possible. Collaborating with other artists challenges me to have solid ideas.
The set of work I am doing is challenging. There are two reasons why this is challenging. The timeline for which we have to work is a little tight. This is not a bad thing, again. Rather it is forcing me to be precise and accurate with my photographs. There is not another opportunity to reshoot or reprint. I have to be 100% precise conceptually and technically.
The other reason why the set of work is challenging is because this is new territory for me. The photographs featured in the show is conceptual street photography. Typically, I use myself (self-portraits) to convey a concept or idea. This is the first time where I have involved others to help me accomplish a larger body of work that I myself could not do alone. Of course, I have made photographs of friends or models for clients, but the pictures those didn’t carry any substantial weight with them. These photographs, however, are dependent upon unique individuals conveying a bigger story.
The Global Arts Exchange is not entirely challenging. In fact, one of my favorite times during this whole process is spending time with the other artists and developing friendships with them. And that’s what I loved most about the GAE, delving deeper into the lives of wonderful people and artists.
The above photograph is a sample of what will be featured in the show from me – it’s exciting. Equally, I’m just as excited to see the work the other artists showcases.
-Jonathan Frey
Prittam was granted his visa!!!!
Despite delay after delay, Prittam Priyalochan was finally granted his visa this morning!!!! He will be arriving to Indianapolis on Monday! He will begin working next week and is bringing a new body of work with him to feature in the exhibition!
HCA is so glad he will be able to make it after all. He told us this morning, “I know it’s short but I am so happy finally it’s working with me too!”
Collaborating At Last!
The cohort of artists had their first official meeting on Friday, June 15th! Beth Hall, Quincy Owens, Moumita Ghosh, and Jonathan Frey shared a meal together Friday evening, then got right to work on their upcoming exhibition: “No Place Like Home” which will take place on July 6th in the Harrison Gallery from 6-9pm.
With their enthusiasm and wit, it didn’t long for them to begin sharing ideas, creativity, and jokes. Mark your calendars for July 6th!!!
(Prittam Priyalochan is still in India, awaiting a visa, but we are not giving up! He is starting to create work in India in order to be prepared for the show.)
Moumita Ghosh arrives on Wednesday!
Due to visa setbacks, we’ve delayed the GAE start date a week, but all other dates will remain the same.
We are happy to announce that one of the visiting artists, Moumita Ghosh, will be arriving this Wednesday, June 13th! We look forward to welcoming her to Indianapolis!
Launching the Global Art Exchange
The Harrison Center for the Arts is excited to announce the launch of its new cultural exchange program, The Global Art Exchange.
The purpose of the GAE is to add depth and diversity to artists’ lives and work by engaging them in a collaborative, creative, international community. The GAE fosters global connections and encourage cross-cultural awareness both in relationships and in artistic expression. It also seeks to build within the local context of Indianapolis a growing community sense that we live in a global culture and a world-class city.
