The views and outlook on this blog are solely author’s, they might not represent that of volunteers or members mentioned on this website.
My heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported and encouraged our projects through the years.
Kuldeepa VM.
Welcome Feb! Happy Imbolc
As the first Gregorian month subsides
the next in line arises
Though next, it’s still at the beginning of the year.
Carrying with it
A possibility of transition
from intensity of cold
to showing signs of warmer weather
From intensity of New Years excitement
To mellowed joy of Valentines heart chakra vibrations
Welcome Feb
The only short month
Short of couple numbers to three 10’s
Yet the most important
To regulate the calculation of entire year
Is it a coincidence?
Or is there a Cosmic relation
…..
These lines are a part of a longer writeup and were penned on 1 Feb to welcome February.
The last two lines were in connection to some correlation I wanted to make with Spirituality and Water elements, but felt some research was needed as I was unclear. Glad I did, for what flowed thereafter was even more clearer and took me deeper. When we say February it's a Gregorian month but this season is different months in different calendars from different cultures depending upon its geographical regions.
January enjoys the limelight of New years excitement
Nature of which is like fireworks
As the fun subside quickly
most of us are either left with all sorts of harmful hangovers
like the residues of fireworks,
Or not-happy to start work after vacations.
Only a few percentile can carry the happiness of the 'new'
and look forward to exploring the year unfold.
In that sense, Imbolc seems to represent the New Life Cycle.
So while researching, its Spiritual significance and connection to Waters, I found context in many religions/ cultures. This webpage mentions some practices.. Though Feb is an AIr sign it precedes the Water sign of Pices that starts in same month. On a Global context, we have World Wetlands day at the beginning of this month- a Geo feature that's crucial to preserve.
Then I read a blog that had landed in my inbox. It was in sync with what I was thinking. What a great timing I thought! Creative Fire and Power of Art its titled by Nancy Hausauer. I opened it for art but guess what, it was 1 Feb and this blog spoke of Imbolic celebration in Celtic region. It was a pleasure to revisit Nancy's Energy healing insights.
While my hands finishes chores my ears have the privilege of listening to the podcasts, talks and more. Happened to bump into Deepak Chopra's talks. I have. not been his fan but have appreciated his work in alternative medicine and more so in Quantum healing. This talk touched me a lot. What a wonderful color of ageing i thought, i could feel it in his voice steady yet jovial talk.
All this in a matter of 2 days. So many stimuli happening around!
Even if I am receptive, can I process the thoughts
and put it to action where it is needed the most
Thats the challenge
what do we do with so much given
We use, we share, but waste not.
There will be left over
but nature will take care of it all!
For more new and fresh is coming by...
So prep the Feb for abundance to begin with a small blad of grass, with a tiny bud smiling back, the sun rising earlier and birds preparing to say Hi! What are you preparing for?
Here's to Feb
Wishing us all
A Happy start.
The Joy of being a Rasikā
Rasika is a term I formally learned in my college days but has been planted in me since childhood days at home.
I feel lucky to be seeded with this concept for as I grew, the Rasikā grew in myself.
So what is Rasik (noun)/ Rasikā (English version)
Its a Sanskrit term with multiple meanings and relative in various forms.
As per- Sanskrit Dictionary online
As per- wikipedia
As per me- Rasika is a person who can savor the taste of everything, viz- Arts/ food/ beauty in nature/ experiences of life. One who is capable of enjoying the artistic pleasures. I would simply put it as a Lover of beauty in its purest forms.
It is obvious to develop a taste for Aesthetics if one is trained in disiplines of Arts, but it need not be the privilege for a select few, everyone can be a Rasik. A bit of training would help. fine tuning our senses to the perception of world around us.
There are many implications to developing the Rasikā within us. It starts with opening our minds. When someone points at the beauty are we open to looking at it? and we might not like what’s seen but are we ready to learn different ways of looking? Thats the ‘Begginer’s Mind’
Also its not just different angles but finer ways of looking. This entails cleansing out sense perceptions to understand the deeper layers of its existence. It need not be a deep philosophy but exposing ourselves to the the interesting nuances happening around, giving attention to the various sensory perceptions like sounds and sights and tastes and touch might do wonders..
This is possible with diverting our attention (from negative thoughts) to the joyful feelings or calming our minds or challenging our intellect with brain games, these all foster a receptive mind that affects our senses too. Isn’t it all interconnected? Is it possible to see differently? so we can feel differently. that might result in thinking Newly?
These Q’s can be addressed in Designing talks.. As I ponder on tomorrow's 'Puzzle Day' meet, maybe we can focus on nourishing our innovative mind. To explore possibilities of lateral thinking. Isn’t that what puzzles are about? A challenge not a problem, to be solved! Puzzles challenging our minds for innovative, creative thinking that builds our ability to think laterally. The more we create possibilities for lateral thinking, the more possibilities we create to create solutions. And not to mention the fun of being engaged in finding creative solutions. And then theres a hidden possibility of AWE to happen.
Training our senses and opening our minds is a process worth going through. For it can enhance our perceptions and therefore our lifestyles. Let's explore together the many possibilities of nurturing the Rasika in us. Join us for your views, suggestions and advice.
Happy New Year(ning)
As the New year's wishes fade,
the momentum for new plans gain.
But are the plans in anyway New?
Is the Yearly Yearnings changed its objects
or objectives?
has it transformed to anything else?
As we get ready to start the 'Conscious Designing' Inquiry Project, sharing some queries, ponderings and background.
What is New? What is not?
What is Conscious?
Designing What?
I cannot answer these Q’s but we will definitely explore them during the Designing talks.
It might sound paradoxical. but Nothing is New and in some way everything can be New every so often in its lifespan.
New year is built upon the previous, a birth of new life is continuation of its already existing species, a new painting is a result of the preceding art practice, a new Idea arrives after passing through the old (mostly outdated) thoughts in tired mind. So lets be conscious of our thoughts and ideas and actions. Its not about designing but for enriching ourselves.
About project
The project starts from November 2023 as part of AmericaRecyclesDay. and formally begins from 2024. Introductory talks here
Aim- Exploring the scope of Designing beyond parameters of Arts to include Interdisciplinary views and Mindful practices while Designing.
Nature of project- Inquiry based. Can include- Virtual Talks/ Make handmades/ Events/ Exhibits
As part of this project, we will restart Meet and Make while looking at ‘Waters’
This project, unlike previous ones, is open ended in many ways. Meaning, the goal is not to achieve a certain aim, rather to explore the aspects of designing with a mindful approach, making the ‘process’ important.
It can be an open space allowing collective works, collective understanding, collective consciousness to happen.
Design is not just about making, it emcompasses the whole process of Ideas, thoughts, intention, attention and execution.
It is not always about making/ creating something but can include how we arrange objects or spaces, not necessarily in just art galleries, Creative places but even in our everyday makes in our homes and our offices. That means Designing need not be a privileged undertaking of the few Art practitioners, it can be touched upon by anyone with or without prior experience/ knowledge. Of Course there will be difference in end results of what a layman does versus a practitioner makes.
Many Designs (some mentioned here) inspired me, not just for its looks or execution style but also the quality of involvement of the maker. not all designs might have all the criterion of conscious designing or for that matter even 'designing' but there was totality in involvement that impressed me as an Art Facilitator. Such ways of working, I thought, might promote Originality?
Acknowledgements
I am grateful to our member friends Julie Nieset, Dr Sowmya Anand, Nazannie Agassi, Ms Chong Hwey Fee, Ms Megan who supported and encouraged experimental projects.
We as a group are Thankful to our previous year’s collaborators of Water project - Urbana Park DIst., AACC, Planted, IAS Library and other big and small groups.
My gratitude also to Phil Nyman and Seth Feldman for pursuing our Inner-outer talks that have. helped my decisions in coming up with the nature of 'Conscious designing'.
It has been a joy and privilege to experience the many Designing moments while organizing our Art projects and to come across the many inspiring artists/ crafters/ makers. i will always be Thankful for these chances to learn.
There can be multiple facets to design(ing)- innovative, Functional, Social, Psychological, Ecological, Economical, Cultural, Contemporary, etcetera etcetera. Since its a vast topic, we can look at each aspect separately in the posts to follow. Stay tuned.
join me with your thoughts, views, enthusiasm, but most importantly with your mindful presence and positive spirit to explore Conscious Designing inquiries in hope to discover ways of enriching our lives and wellbeing for all.
Flashback on Inspiring Designs
Designing inclines towards functionality unlike Fine arts that are Arts for Art sake, yet, there is a factor of pure creative pleasure even in designing.
As we move ahead with Conscious Designing project for coming year, here is a flashback on the many inspiring experiences with designing- personal and with others, that inspired arriving at this project. Also the inner outer talks prepared the ground for adding the angle of ‘Conscious’ Thankful to everyone who supported and encouraged the work.
It has been a pleasure to witness creativity unfold while working on our projects especially the last couple years while working on E2Re project and the Zero waste Crafts in relation to Waters.
What is designing? Where can it be seen Or we can ask, WHERE NOT can Design be seen.
Anything done with conscious effort can be a design good or not so good but an efforts is made to make things more beautiful then they existed. Does that make sense? It might be my personal view.
More on Designing discussion in next year, for now would just like to share some of the designs that helped grow my understanding on Design, Arts and its connection to Life as a Whole. So much more to learn…
*ALL photos are courtesy of the author, they should not be used without prior permission.
Handmade teaching aids for wetlands enrichment
For the wetlands week Enrichment event,
Julie Nieset, Wetland scientist at I NHS had prepared Teaching needs to show the length of different plants in our yards versus native plants her it was a genius design. Simple and impactfuful
Handmade Art project For the SOI Seniors special virtual meet, the Grandmas shared some elaborate handmade designs. It's amazing to see the kind of patience and effort put into their crafts. With readymade getting cheaper, my gen or next is diluted with such capacities.
when one lead one also follows when one is teaching one is also learning
the most benefits i had from my efforts on events activities are the inspirations from the students who created original works
when one leads one also follows, When one is teaching one is also learning
The most benefits i had from organizing these projects and activities is the inspiration to move ahead with creative spirit and the energy to explore the beauty around! I will always be thankful for these learning opportunities.
Questions, Pause, Direction
in last few years of designing, leading and practicing the goals of our Eco-Culture-Arts projects I start to ponder on our aims and its true purpose. Do we really need to do what we do/ what is the outcome of our work/ will our community work change anything atall? What is Impact and how does it work in a bigger picture?
These questions call for a pause.
Arriving at the answer to these questions can be relative, depending on who is asking them and with what intentions.
As from my personal experience, it feels like no Impact is of any value till it is directed towards transformative change. All other efforts are cyclic momentary satisfaction.
Transformation can be the pinnacle of change, or maybe the basis of it?
Many of us want change and are looking for it outside . Though many say, real change might begin at an individual level, yet, how do I address individual work as a collective being? Or should one even mix both these things.
Upgrading Physical structure without enhancing the essence might not sustain long enough.
But what do i do with many such Questions?
Maybe a time for a pause i thought
A Pause can clarify
saving time and resources
which would end up as a waste.
A Pause is not to not do
but to slow down and not initiate.
Not to completely press the left leg on brakes
but not either to exert the right one and accelerate
A Pause is therefore not essentially a shut down
But to slowdown and maintain pace
A pause can help reconstitute regenerate
Or it can Erase
presenting a new challenge with a clean slate
A pause can be gradual
slowing down and picking up momentum
While retaining a chance
for a change of direction.
Change might not be visible
but internally felt
whose effects might show up at a later date.
For the pause too is not seen in outer layers
it is experienced within one's inner space.
And from there arises the new ways
Sometimes changing direction
sometimes our goals
many times the grade of work
Leading us towards evolutionary methods?
Well, I keep searching
and breathing
to find what's next.
Can Crafts be Zero waste?
Since the last few years, we have been celebrating National crafts month with various themes, like- Traditional Crafts, Crafts and Folklore, Art with Museums.
Though we have always been mindful about sustainable methods and materials, this year the theme itself was Recycled Crafts for health of Water. It wasn't a novel activity but definitely a sincere effort to cut down our waste or in a wider sense, our carbon footprint, Water footprint. (Yes, Water footprint is a thing!)
So were our Crafts a Zero waste activity? Let's check and discuss at the end….
Technically, in today's world, nothing humans do is fully zero waste; unless we are to follow the indigenous lifestyles that too from pre- industrial age.
What does Zero waste actually mean?
No thrashable waste created? No new materials used? No harmful by products created? All of the above? None of the above?
Many web pages have tried to explain Zero Waste (some have the website by that very name too but one can see a huge carbon footprint in their promotional events)
There are also many well formulated examples on net, one of them i could resonate with-
" Zero Waste: The conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health."
- under the name of EPA website
Whats important is how and how much of what we know and talk, can we put in action.
Forget the more contaminating sectors of present times, the Art market by itself can make a big difference if we acknowledge the need to be ecologically alert and environmentally inclusive by rethinking MATERIALS. Especially short term Recreational Art activities for kids, fancy art camps that use pompoms, sparkles, stickers, in overflowing quantities. Do we need these to beautify? Some might say- Yes. Can we avoid it and still create beauty? -?
#RETHINKMATERIAL- What, How Much
All the picture sequences here are from this year's creative projects that mainly ran through March (National Crafts Month) and April (Earth Day Month).
When it comes to Climate/ Atmosphere/ Land/ Water/ Air, there are no borders, The Butterfly effect is real. Whatever I do or not do affects the Whole. Its not a philosophy neither rocket science. But to realize the effects of choices we make, needs a bit of mindfulness, a bit of slowing down to be able to see what I do and what are its consequences, not with a self interest myopic eyes but open with heart for all that exists.
Traditional Festivals and Celebrations create a residue that can increase a group’s waste by multiple time in just one event. By changing our outlook towards festivals and focusing on their true essence might be more helpful moving forward.
So,
which project seems closes to Zero waste? Which is furthest from it? why?
Which products will most contaminate the land? which ones will pollute our Waters?
Even if one wants to, It is not easy to go completely green depending on where you are based. The system dictates the laws and in some measures our life styles.
As someone once said- with what we have, where we are we should do what we can.
Hope I have not come across as opposing art activities. It was an effort to share better ways of handling our materials tools and natural resources while encouraging creativity Sustainably
Efforts/ actions are individual that can turn into collective but results will always be communal- for good or bad of all.
Process and Prep
This past Weeknd was the Boneyard Art fest, a wonderful vibe across towns that celebrates all types of arts in several places.
So much to write about the inspiring Artists and Charged up events, certainly another post for Boneyard Fest is needed. For now, as April is almost ending and as CU Poetry group’s reading inspired me to touch a Pen, penned something to commemorate the month and look back on my creative process.
Some diary excerpts from -
17 April, '23 while pondering on my prep ritual before touching the paints (or a brush)
As the Art fair ends,
I set an intent
devoting regular time
for creative process
first thing in the day, everyday.
So I start.
But first I try to calm and bring my mind in the present
to follow what my mentor had said to do as a prep..
"Calm down, meditate, gather attention, be aware.."
so i try and retry
not more then 5 seconds
cud I focus on my breath
what a fail what a loser I said
to myself
Three times tried and drifted
but gave up not
Took a pause to shame myself
And tried again
All three episodes failed
To calm my mind
And bring it to a focal point
uniting the brush and brain
paper and hand
That will hold the brush
Or by it be held
... But all in vein
Excuse me for using this word
time and again
BUT, by now I have concluded that
Spontaneity is the best
So I flow with the flow
Of my thoughts along with my breath
And use that word again
From where I left
But in vein
I said about my efforts
For training my mind insane
But they say,
No efforts go waste
And I believe in it
For enough times that
I actually have it felt.
So the aim of focusing
Didnot yield sucess
But the efforts didnot go waste
For each few minute that I sat
i felt more and more relaxed
less agitated
less intimidated by to-do list's lenght
And for the last session
The quality of thoughts
Changed!
Instead of trying
And pushing
And forcing
I let go off the efforts
after the third attempt.
As time was limited
with a serene thought of
PURITY
and devotion and work balance,
I disconnected my pose
And took to the brush
Which I had previously held
three time in a row
and had laid back horizontly
On top of water cointainer’s edge
as i had not felt the flow.
Ofcorse there was no spontaneity
Like I have experienced before
But I was more present
More intentional
And let go off any thoughts of
Spontaneity or Purity
that was expected
of myself
————————-
* took a pause for work and continued writing
————————
i have always believed
in my formative years
that the result is not more important
then the process itself
For the process actually carves the path
to reach the aims..
So i felt, a need for this to b documented
Our aims will not be met
in our expected periods
But nevertheless
Efforts don’t go waste
The quality will change
In whatever we do
When, before beginning,
A clean intention is set.
Don’t bother if u don’t have time
But definatly
Make some attempt
To slow down
And meditate
Whatever it means
To you or your intellect
For it will doubtlessly
Change the depth of
What happens next…
— 17 April ‘23
While pondering on previous writings of the day..
Wetland Wonders
This year, we are happy to reunite for 'Wetland Wonders- 2023' and build upon the Wetlands Week- 2022 project that included an in-person event at Weaver park. The school kids tested their handmade Water Filters with repurposed materials. , a hike with presentations from Julie Nieset, wetland Scientist from INHS, David Subers from UPD, Matt Finzel, a UIUC research student. An Art Playdate was held at Meadowbrook Park that included some grounding exercises led by Grasshoppers Club teacher, Bogden Heretoiu. We are thankful for these valuable partnerships!
We have opened collaborations for 'Wetland Wonders- 2023' starting today and are happy to start planning activities with David Subers from Urbana Park District, Jennifer Wick from CCFPD and our Wetlands advisor, Julie Nieset from INHS.
Ascend Art360 plans to extend Wetland celebrations through Environmental day (June 2023) and are open to join hands with any interested Collaborators.
I am not an authority to write about wetlands so i am just sharing my experiences, and thoughts regarding these ecosystems that pose as environmental boon for life.
Wetlands as we know are major water filters of Nature. They filter not just manmade litter (plastics, papers, etc) but also the manmade chemicals that runoff from foul agro practices. They restore our Aquifers. But most importantly they balance the Carbon on this globe. Mangroves are a major Carbon sink and can help balance Climate Change. It was inetresting to know more on this while reading AIDA's blog here (on 8th para.).
Looking back I realise how little I knew as a child about these patches of muddy water, plants soaking in water, and though i enjoyed the popping grasses and floating greens, I felt they were untidy features of land.
My inclinations to know the functioning of Artistic forms of nature lead me to knowing and valuing Nature more than when I was ignorant. And that can be applied to each of us.
What I knew as wetlands was the Cattails standing and swaying in shallow waters. As the reading grew, it was amazing to know the many types of water bodies that are identified as Wetlands. Here are some from Illinois
I have had the privilege of visiting one of the largest wetlands, the Everglades National Park, twice. When I visited it the second time there was a different awareness to my being there. To watch nature , listen, look, feel, with a different inquisitiveness. Now Everglades was no longer just a home of Alligators from Florida, it was much much more biodiverse! Also fortunate to have Mr José, a staff and guide who shared many insightful talks during our boat ride into Everglades waters. Thanks to Mr Josê for giving us time to chat at the end of the air boat ride.
This reminds me of Mr Thomas' talk during our virtual event 'Inspired by Nature- 2021'. Mr Grant Thomas, a local Elementary Art Teacher who has visited many National Parks, created a comic book, 'Killer Hats' and spoke about his Graphic Poem, 'Foreverglades'- excerpts here.
The birds were shot down for their beautiful feathers to go in ladies hats. Just one of the examples, I htought, of feeding the human wants (not needs) that were based on ignorant lifestyles. On a positive note, now there are laws that prevent damage to wildlife and its natural habitat.
Thanks to the establishment of National/ State/ Local Park Services.
I was blessed with a recent opportunity to visit Cancun Mexico. It was a paradoxical experience of Joy and sorrow, ecstasy and concern.
The joy of being near the sea on one side and huge water bodies with large patches of lush green mangroves, on the other side of the land. Ahh, what a unique landmark and an equally unique ecosystem!
The human litter that I encountered wasn’t new, just that it was a pinch to realize me as a tourist was adding to its pollution.
Not very far away, we were taken through the mangroves by motorboats to experience the Corals of The great Mayan reef. Seeing beneath the dark shades of water surface, has been an AWE of my life- the sight of a happy Coral Reef!!
But the joy changed to concern while returning back by those same boats. that had ported us to the underwater wonders as Jungle tours. They had speed, made much noise, and created turbulent waves. Were we as tourist disturbing the whole lifes play there? Were we adding to its pollution? But their economy depends on tourism. and that’s an important factor. Maybe Green tourism is an urgent call as we reopen travels after 3 years of lockdowns.
I grew up seeing the mangroves of Mumbai., western India. As we were in planning mode for wetlands projects, Couple weeks ago my bro-in-law shared a pic from a virtual newspaper. It spoke of an argument for building birdwatching towers verses concern of its ramifications.
This seems to be a Universal problem. A development for humans to get closer to Nature but in the process affect the natural settings. Balance might be the key? Research based planning and holistic approach towards ‘development’ might help?
The Wetland are profused with various species, operate with such great mechanism for sustaining fresh waters on earth. As an Art Facilitator, how can I raise its awareness... I hope to put the response to this quest into an action based and explore the Wetlands Wonders in the process.
Continuity in Transition 2022-23
Though 2022 and its projects are over, work seems to have barely begun on the intentions behind those projects. Though there is an end and a new start to the manmade calendar, 2023 might be a continuity in work from the previous year.
This year I missed writing the year-end Gratitudes, but with a heart full of thankfulness (and some dejection about failures) I chose not to stress uploading anything during the weak internet at vacation. Instead let my traveling diary help document some rumination.
Sharing some of those excerpts might help set our 2023 work intentions. Most were penned on New Year's dawn watching the New (or not) Sunrise on the beach and after returning back home (just for the background of mixed tenses)
Most of our 2022 has been experimental. It was a phase with lots of Whats, Hows, Whens, Wheres, Whos, the only clarity being 'Why' (purpose). Not much impact in terms of change but great learning experiences created during projects. Feeling Thankful for all the opportunities working with some wonderful people.and learning from their work.
What seemed like big projects and good accomplishments collectively, now seems to be just the seeds of possibilities that might have been sown or barely created.
Now at this point when the new year’s sun is not yet out and precipitates of 2022 are still available, we make a choice of which seeds to be kept and which ones to pass. Which ones to start immediately watering and which to be saved for appropriate times.
----------------
Some experiences of this trip reminds me of past projects making me rethink about them..
There have been some important happening till the last minute of 2022 and any call to wrap up the year any earlier would have been an incomplete picture of it for me..
Yesterday (midnight) on the beach, when all toasted for new year, the loud music, the blazing visuals, the heart pumping excitements, made me feel obnoxious and I drifted towards the quieter yet vibrant waves just a few yards away. The soothing sea sound with low key hues and the fresher winds that made me Breathe after the loud banging on my heartbeats, is an important ending for creating my 2023 intentions.. #Slowing down #Finding Harmony #Rhythm #Nature's beauty...
Some more work seems crucial for me to participate in, as a collective being. And, that ‘me’ stands for each of us as an individual ‘I’
Our mother language project that resumed in February (UNESCO's Mother language Day), was fun and seemed like a good Cultural-Arts experiment though not very important;. But looking back at our visit to Puerto Morelos, for a zipline activity in Mayan reservation land, brings back the question- how important are Native Languages?. I met a guide there who helped me know the name of a tree (this tree captivated me with its roots running down the cave) in Spanish and Mayan. He was a rare one who could communicate in English. I was filled with questions about the history of the land, about its beauty and eager to know more about their culture but they were on duty and cared least about Mayan language or Cultures to be communicated to a foreign visitor like me.
Except for a few popular languages, not many native languages, are respected in our jet speed techno age, but don’t they convey the wisdom of their lands? The local culture seems to be so intrinsically woven with its geographical surroundings. this knowledge might be important for survival of all, including human as a natural being.. Maybe we should continue working on this fun yet important project on Mother-Language?
Much Thanks to Mara Thacker from IAS Library for the cooperation and support with Language-Arts project. The Lingo Language Dialect Art exhibit was displayed March-April 2022 at the library while adjoining 'Language' virtual meet on zoom.
------------------------
Catharsis/ Regeneration/ Detox... same happens in waters (wetlands) and in our body and in nature overall.
On the very last eve of 2022, I experienced the AWE of the year! Was granted a boon to experience the beauty of coral life in the great Mayan reef! These are the second largest in world!!! What a delicate ecosystem and equally beautiful! I feel obliged to write another post for it..
To reach the Coral site, one has to boat-ride past the mangroves which are large stretches in themselves. But on the periphery of these water-land ecosystems, where human construction starts, it was daunting to see the amount of human litter, more so after realizing- as a tourist, I am partly responsible for that pollution. Though carrying my own water bottle even within the resort when I was stared upon, in many ways I have been part of the problem unwillingly, unknowingly. It's time we realize traveling comes with a responsibility towards the destinations.
Fondly remembering our Wetlands week 2022 celebrations!
The week included an in-person event with school students at a local wetland area in Urbana IL.There were educational presentations by Julie Nieset (Illinois Natural History Survey), David Subers (Urbana Park District) and Matt Fitzel (Student at UIUC) followed by a hike to clean up the litter.
The other event, a Nature Play-date at the Meadowbrook park, included a grounding session with Grasshoppers teacher, Bogdan Heretoiu, a hike around Meadowbrook prairie .with David Subers of UPD and puppet-making with magazine papers facilitated by me.
The events are a good example of what we need more in our education systems-- more hands on experiences in Nature while being part of it.
—————————-
The Language-Arts project overlapped with wetland project and prep for Earth day celebration, followed by Environmental day prep, while planning for SOI Fabric exhibit which become a part of Art with Museums and all this culminating into E2Re collaborative Fall project.
So 2022 more strikingly brough out the connection within Culture, Ecology, Education and now to my awareness- Economy being an important part of the chain.
The Earth day 2022 marked opening of our experimental E2E2Re eco-culture-arts project. This included projects like Art with Museums' and 'Nature Art'. The projects later culminated into The E2Re Collaborative fall project with celebrations for AAH Month followed by ARD Month. Collaborators hosted events at their respective venues as we tried to inter-link their missions. Thanks to Beth Watkins and Kim Sanford from Spurlock Museum, Katie Snyder from Museum of Grand Prairie, Thomas Warde from PACA, Christa from IDEA store for coming together and contributing towards this collaborative undertaking.
Also it was humbling to participate in Urbana Park District's 'Earthday for Everyone' event.for Earthday 2022. We will ever be thankful to Savanna Donavan from UPD for letting us be part of their huge event with many amazing organizations that are working tremendously towards reversing Climate change.
Living culture is -- the existing present that is nurtured by the valuable past.
The E2E2Re project included SOI 2022 celebration in collaboration with Asian American Cultural center. Thanks to Dr Sang Lee for her support and help with 'Traditional fabrics of India on th Silk Road' an exhibit displayed at the AACC August- Sep 2022. As an extension, a virtual meet hosted Guest talks and presentations Thanks to Dr Sowmya Anand for co-hosting and helping organise the virtual meet.
My trip was kind of reiteration on how Culture and Ecology are connected, additionally realizing, Economy plays a very important role in the health of both. Maybe we need to find ways of promoting Green industries, Eco-business, Circular economy, Cultural economy?
In my personal dilemma for focusing on Art making vs continuing projects this year, the projects gain weightage for now. Lets see what the new year holds for us all..
A glance at E2Re.
This post on E2Re Project, was due long months ago but with events happening back to back, we were engaged in directing the events! As we are nearing its completion now, it feels overwhelming to cover this project in all its entirety. May be smaller segments will give us a chance to look at this Eco-Culture-Arts project from different angles too.
This post basically compiles all events at a glance.
Aim
The E2Re Eco-Culture-Arts Collaborative Project- Fall 2022 technically began since Earthday 2022 as E2E2Re (Earthday to Environmental Day to (America) Recycles day) and culminated into E2Re Collaborative Project.
The aim of this project was to bring together groups from Community, Campus and youth groups on a creative Eco-Culture-Arts platform.
This project is a collaborative undertaking of Spurlock Museum , The Museum of grand Prairie , Urbana Park district, IDEA store, PACA, Ascend Art360 with educator Shannon Percoco and Kuldeepa VM
The other community groups willing to be part of it, made the scope of this project even more wider.
it is hard to process the various areas that this project touched, let alone document every single member who helped make it happen but we are thankful to all the Collaborators and participating groups for their share of involvement, not just in this project but in their own workplace routines that correlate with the purpose of this project, that is- bringing more Eco awarness, Cultural understanding in our community.
Events by Collaborators
Each Collaborating organization hosted events that were either part of Arts and Humanities Month or America Recycles Day.
Spurlock Museum’s ‘Contemporary look at the Classics’, hosted multiple groups like (excerpts are linked respectively) -
Fresh Press Paper with Educational tables
Spurlock Museum tables for Paper Upcycling Crafts
Ascend art 360 with Display of up-cycled creations from community.
Perfromances by-
SPICMACAY- https://youtu.be/639eJ9myrbA
Urbana Fine Arts Center, https://youtu.be/LgWW-S7yrZ0
Shubhalaxmi Kumar’s dance group, https://youtu.be/G_tlHjD7ppo
The Wu Family, https://youtu.be/E0XgHCEVyXY
Champaign Mixed CLovers 4-H Club. https://youtu.be/6RUGJOKom1c
More info on ‘Arts with Museums’ here
Ascend Art360 hosted the Contemporary Look at Classics- Virtual meet with Designers, Educators and community youths- (excerpts of talks are linked respectively)
Luciana Rezende from UFA- www.urbanafineartscenter.com/
Joe Rauen- www.joerauen.com https://youtu.be/zTIeheH3lZ8
Seth Feldman - https://youtu.be/YaFzO0aDff8
The Hindi Language group, - https://youtu.be/h89_4HX-qiA
Vyom Mehta,- https://youtu.be/FbHqwf_VBz8
Ascend Art360 hosted Flower arrangement and sketching with flower before cleaning the yards for winter. We talked about native plants, pollinator gardens, and had some fun watching the critters come out of flowers onto the table (trying to put them back out). It was a good example of using what would be discarded. The flowerpots were upcycled bottles. Flowers stayed for a week more and the drawing for ever :)
More on Arts and Humanities Month here
The PACA warehouse and IDEA store are showcasing community upcycled artworks that were part of E2Re Eco-Culture-Arts Collaborative events. Displays are on through 15 December.
Urbana Park District’s ARD 2022 event at Anita Purves Nature center and Museum of the Grand Prairie, Mahomet, hosted their own activities that were in sync with the E2Re project.
All these events promoted Repurpose/ Reuse/ Recycle in the spirit of America Recycles Day 2022. More details on ‘America Recycles Day’ month, here.
While executing action plan the E2Re project reached various other groups.
Art teacher, Mr Grant Thomas at Barkstall school hosted Map art by PACA and upcycling arts inspired by Spurlock’s specimens.
Ms Shannon Percoco hosted recycling collage art with her art class at Centennial High School.
Kuldeepa VM from Ascend Art360 hosted upcycling arts at Champaign library’s teens lab with help from Ms Kathie Kading and in Barkstall school classrooms with help from their respective teachers, Mr Burrus and Ms Blackburn.
Inference:
Over all, this project was a good success looking at the obvious Aim of getting different groups together on the Arts platform, and It has truly been a join venture with everyone involved.
But it might be challenging to say the purpose was served. The outcome of the project has not hit anywhere close. It dint change much in terms of bringing awareness.. Partly, our weakness with social media might be the cause of this failure.
Although, no effort put in what one thinks is right, is gone wasted, we like to be optimistic in our work :) and see this as a learning opportunity if something similar needs to be pursued in near future. May be the efforts show up in future years? May be the ideas hit some grounds and sprout when its the right time? or may be the project just ends here in time. May be a post on E2Re Reflections is in formation!
We sincerely Thank all those who were involved in planning, supporting, executing the E2Re project.
Thanks to Beth Watkins, Kim Sanford, Katie Snyder, Shannon Percoco, Savannah Donovan, David Subers, Kuldeepa VM for their help in planning and kick starting this project and to Thomas Warde, Christa, for their help Showcasing community displays at their respective venues.
Thanks to Mrs Linda Thiele, Dr. Sang Lee, Dr Sowmya Anand, Mr Grant Thomas, Mr Micheal Burrus, Ms Madison Blackburn, Ms Kathie Kading for organizing the creative upcycling events in their respective groups.
We are grateful to artist, educators- Luciana Rezende, Joe Rauen, Eric Benson for their valued presence and contributions to this project.
Thanks to volunteers- Julie Nieset, Nazanine Agassi, Ms Shirley She, Kuldeepa VM for their help setting up, photography, video recording and managing the events.
Thanks to Ms Chong-Hwey, Dr Sayee Annak and Ms Julie Schubach for their Moral Support and encouragement in pursuing this project.
We are grateful to the many Parents, Community members and volunteers that are not seen but played an important role in making this Project happen.
Though the project is coming to an end, hope it can be the beginning of something better! Stay tuned for related E2Re posts in coming weeks.
As I finished Fine Arts school, I continued actively painting while also working as a school teacher for a living. I soon realized the inner and outer nature of both. Teaching demands social awareness (energy outward), Painting needs some quiet inner space. (introverted). Though it is a challenge to balance both, I choose to not let go either of my callings. I am grateful for the valuable life experiences that help me design community art projects and understand their impact in the larger whole. I wish to keep exploring both the dimensions and their aesthetic elements that brings joy to my life.
Kuldeepa Vartak Mehta
Art Facilitator, Artist
Education:
Higher.Art.Ed. Roby D’Silva College of Visual Arts.
G.D. FineArt [Drawing & Painting]- L.S. Raheja College of Fine Arts.
Art Teacher’s Diploma, Vasai Vikasini.
Certifications: Online
-Art and Design Technology history- Israel University
-Fashion- Circular Economy- Wageningen University
-Museums Studies, Learning from Museums- Northwestern University
Worked at:
Podar world school- IBO, Mumbai
Parkwood Int. School- IGCSC, Hydrabad
SVIS Int, Mumbai
Convent of Jesus and Mary, Colaba
Guest Teacher:
APV School (Environmental school), Uttarakhand
Kanavu alternative school, Kerala
Tong-Leng school, Dharamshala
Volunteer-
Making art for patients of Odyssey Hospice, Chicago
Project Read Tutor ESL, Champaign IL
1 to 1 Mentoring - Unit 4 Elementary School, Champaign.
Selected shows *(G.S.= Group Show):
IL, N.America
:2021- Around the Block (G.S.), Giertz gallery.
: 2019- Asian American Cultural Center (G.S.)- ‘Breaking Barriers’
: 2016- ‘The Many Faces Of Me’- Café Paradiso,
: 2014- 2016 - Boneyard arts Festival,
: 2010- Colors of Culture, (G.S.), Springer center
: 2007- ‘Summerfest’ (G.S.), Bloomington
Mumbai, India
: 2005 – Kamalnayan Art Gallery, India.
: 2004 – Participation, Bombay art society
: 2004 – Bajaj Art Gallery
: 2001 - Group show, Artist center.
: 2000 - Participated in ‘Chatak’, Nehru center.
: 2000 - Gallery Beyond show, Jahangir Art Gallery