Specially curated cultural exhibition at Kala Bhoomi inaugurated by G Kishan Reddy and Naveen Patnaik at 2nd G20 Culture Working meet in Bhubaneshwar
The theme of the exhibition is reflective of second priority of Culture Working
Group (CWG) - ‘Harnessing Living Heritage for a Sustainable Future.’
The exhibition showcases more than 35 crafts and various languages and scripts
of India through objects and live teaching demonstrations.
In a side event at the Second G20 Culture
Working Meet,
‘Sustain: The Craft Idiom’ a specially curated cultural exhibition was inaugurated by
Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and DoNER G Kishan Reddy and the
Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik today at Bhubaneswar.
Nityanand Rai, Minister for State for Home Affairs, was
also present on the occasion. The exhibition is being held at Kala Bhoomi -
Odisha Crafts Museum from 16-22 May 2023.
The exhibition ‘Sustain: The Craft Idiom’ is a
cultural project organized by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India for
the 2nd G20 CWG meeting
(May 14 to 17, 2023) that is being held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The theme of
the exhibition is predicated on and reflective of the second priority of the
Culture Working Group (CWG) - ‘Harnessing Living Heritage for a Sustainable
Future.’
The exhibition presents varied expressions of India’s
age-old living heritage and indigenous knowledge systems that have sustained
individuals, communities, and societies in shaping their beliefs, values, and
traditions since time immemorial. The vision for the exhibition is to create
awareness amongst visitors, professionals, and policymakers about the many
living heritage practices that prioritize mindful and optimal utilization of natural
resources and harmonious coexistence between humankind and nature.
‘Sustain: The Craft Idiom’ is composed of three constituent
experiences - Akshara, Stambh, and demonstrations by master artisans and
teachers - which encapsulate these manifold aspects. The exhibition showcases
more than 35 crafts and various languages and scripts of India through objects
and live teaching demonstrations.
The first section of
the exhibition ‘Akshara - Crafting Indian Scripts,’ highlights diverse
languages and craft practices of India, reflecting unique worldviews and
traditions. Through a new design vocabulary, Akshara showcases the visual
beauty of India’s scripts, expressed through alphabets, verses, phrases, poems,
and colloquial sayings.
The Second section ‘Stambh:
Craft, Collaboration and Continuity,’ explores indigenous crafts practices and
their contemporary expressions. This section showcases functional objects
designed with elements of traditional crafts, through collaborations with
artisans, adapted for urban audiences. The exhibition will also have master
classes, demonstrations, and DIY activities with renowned crafts practitioners.