Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Dec 06, The Edition-6 of Abhivyakti, The City Arts Project, an endeavor of UNM Foundation of Mehta Family’s Torrent Group, showcased a vibrant mix of cultures on Friday evening.
According to UNM Foundation As a special arrangement under UNM Foundation’s UJAAS initiative, 35 residents from Shantiniketan Old Age Home, Adalaj, Ahmedabad were taken for an outing to Abhivyakti and experience the mesmerizing Indian classical dance performance of Asmita Thakur titled “Vi-Ka-vi-Bu:Vinaash Kaale Viparit Buddhi”. They expressed their happiness and appreciation of the performance which became an experience they will cherish for a long time. This is the second group of old-age home residents, after the first group of 35 had visited on November 29th.
The performances that began with soulful Carnatic Music, gave the audience a taste of a variety of art forms such as puppet theatre, experimental theatre, musical satire, mushaayra, spiritual dance and Indian classical dance. The evening also provided the audiences an artistic peek into different cultures of India ranging from Rajasthani to Marathi, Bengali to Goan besides a classical Indian traditional culture across performances.
Performers from Jaipur, Pune, Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Goa and Kolkata exhibited the true essence of Abhivyakti, which breaks physical boundaries to create a confluence of art through varied expressions.
Abhivyakti is also a platform for learning and spreading different techniques of various art forms. As a part of it and to provide aspiring artists an opportunity to learn from experienced artists, a series of 3-day Dance Workshop with Buskman commenced from Friday under the theme of “Embracing Freedom Through Movement”. The Dance workshop will be held for three days during evening hours from 4 pm to 6 pm for the art lovers through registration.
Visual Art Installations: Visual artist Sanjaykumar Rajwar gave the visitors a peek into childhood with his installation “Childhood Memories”. He takes the viewers on a nostalgic journey through the simple yet magical world of origami airplanes. His artwork caught the visitors’ imagination with several visitors created paper planes and revisited their childhood memories filled with joy, creativity, and friendly competitions. Rajwar believes that the process of transforming a plain sheet of paper into a flying object sparks imagination and a sense of accomplishment. Through his artwork, he aims to evoke fond memories of carefree play and inspire viewers to reconnect with their inner child.
Atharv Karkare, a visual artist from Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh showcased “Unfiltered Rest” through the installation of sleeping figures, symbolizing a state of detachment from the world and detached from any sense of pride. These figures represent a state of simply existing in the present moment. These sculptures, created with a sense of stillness, invite viewers to close their eyes and experience the world through an unfiltered lens. Atharv believes that by embracing simplicity and freedom, we can truly connect with our authentic selves.
Suraj Kumar Sahu is a sculptor, who delves into the complexities of human identity through his terracotta works. Through his art installation, “The authenticity of human surface”, he takes us on a journey of self-discovery through his terracotta sculpture. His art celebrates the authenticity of the human surface- not just as a physical layer but as a canvas reflecting deeper truths, revealing the intricate balance between vulnerability and resilience. Sahu believes that our outer appearances are windows into our inner experiences, inviting viewers to connect with the emotions and stories embedded in his artwork.
The audience entry is open-to-all on ‘first come, first served’ basis. The programme schedule for the Pre-event is as follows: