In an era of escalating climate crises, the role of art as a catalyst for environmental awareness and action has become increasingly vital. Art offers a unique lens to address ecological degradation, creating meaningful dialogues and inspiring creative solutions for a sustainable future. This year, India witnessed a wave of sustainable art initiatives, exhibitions, and programs, each making significant strides in intertwining artistic expression with environmental advocacy.
Sustaina India: Where Science Meets Art
One of the most groundbreaking initiatives of 2024 was ‘Sustaina India,’ a collaborative platform launched by the Council of Energy, Environment, and Water in partnership with renowned artists Thukral and Tagra. This first-of-its-kind endeavor was designed to merge science and art, encouraging collective climate action. Supported by a fellowship program for artists, Sustaina India debuted with an exhibition at Bikaner House in Delhi as a parallel show to the India Art Fair.
The exhibition showcased an impressive array of artworks by both emerging and established Indian artists. The exhibition featured tapestries woven from ocean waste, an immersive forest experience, on-ground visual narratives of how climate change impacts tribal communities among many other displays and artistic interventions. By addressing themes such as food, clothing, waste, architecture, forests, and non-humans, the exhibition emphasized practices of reducing, reusing, repurposing, and restoring. From eco-friendly wooden panels made of crop residue to soy-based inks and paints, Sustaina India also demonstrated the feasibility of integrating sustainable materials into the art-making and exhibition process.
Tenzing Dakpa’s Manifest and Weather Report
This year, Visual artist Tenzing Dakpa’s solo exhibitions ‘Manifest’ and ‘Weather Report’ at Experimenter Art Gallery delved deeply into the human impact on nature. ‘Manifest’ documented the aftermath of forest fires in North Goa, while ‘Weather Report’ presented installations reflecting the drastic environmental changes affecting local landscapes. Together, these exhibitions underscored the urgency of addressing climate change.
A Forest in the City: Exploring Urban-Natural Interfaces
In Mumbai, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, in collaboration with the Jehangir Nicholson Art Foundation and other partners, presented ‘A Forest in the City.’ This exhibition, based on a three-year research project on the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Aarey Colony, examined the interplay of objects, culture, and environment. Featuring tribal, folk, and contemporary art alongside maps and documents, it raised critical questions about identity, culture, and the rights of forest communities.
Outside In: Reviving Dhokra Art
Bangalore’s Museum of Art and Photography hosted ‘Outside In,’ a celebration of Dhokra, the age-old lost-wax casting technique. This exhibition showcased the works of luminaries like Meera Mukherjee and Jaidev Baghel, presenting 26 sculptures and textiles from the MAP Collection. Accompanied by a film and publication on Dhokra, the event highlighted the importance of preserving indigenous crafts as a cultural and environmental heritage.
Out of Here, That’s My Goal: The Chaos Trilogy
The exhibition ‘Out of Here, That’s My Goal: The Chaos Trilogy’ was a poignant exploration of climate issues. Curated by Premjish Achari and held at The Guild in Alibaug, this exhibition featured works by celebrated artists like Baiju Parthan, Gigi Scaria, Gulammohammed Sheikh, Ravi Agarwal, Shantibai, and more. The showcased pieces offered alternative perspectives on ecological degradation, fostering planetary solidarity and encouraging viewers to contemplate collaborative solutions for future generations.
Planet vs. Plastics: Engaging Young Artists
To commemorate the 54th Earth Day, Earth Day Network India (a trust inspired by the global environmental NGO which grew out of the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, and today engages with over 150,000 organizations in some 190 countries to advance the environmental movement) launched an innovative competition themed ‘Planet vs. Plastics.’ Encouraging young “Artists for the Earth” to spotlight the issue of plastic waste, the initiative received 400 creative submissions from participants as young as six years old. Fifty-four standout pieces were compiled into an eBook and unveiled at a National Museum of Natural History event. Plans to exhibit these works regionally underline the importance of nurturing sustainability-focused creativity among the younger generation.
The art initiatives of 2024 in India have demonstrated the transformative power of creative expression in addressing environmental challenges. From pioneering exhibitions like Sustaina India to grassroots competitions like ‘Planet vs. Plastics,’ these efforts bridge art, science, and community engagement. As the climate crisis intensifies, the role of art in creating awareness and inspiring action will remain indispensable, urging us all to imagine and create a sustainable future for generations to come.
Picture Source: https://sustainaindia.org/sustaina-bikaner/
