The easy answer is to say that art isn’t appropriate in this context, especially given the disconnect between the daily realities of a Dharavi family and our artistic visions; the two are not exactly synonymous. I’m sure anyone reading this blog can think of entirely different and commendable ways to spend the money and time invested in this project to improve the quality of life of this community. But then again, perhaps the fact that art is so foreign in places like Dharavi –a luxury activity that is seldom considered as a hobby and would be reckless to consider as a career – makes it the perfect medium to engage and connect with the people.
You do not need to be here for 3 weeks to realize that there are a limited number of extracurricular activities for people in Dharavi. I think back to my youth… soccer practice 5 days a week (games on weekends). Music, art and theater classes in school. Concerts during the week, camping on the weekend, biking to the pool in the summer and going sledding in the winter. This list, nor a culturally-adjusted similar one, is available to a kid growing up in Dharavi.
Given the lack of creative outlets, our presence and the introduction of new views and modes of expression – which are drastically different from the norm – seems to be providing a refreshing change of pace for the community.
From Alex’s perspective, visual art is a form of expression that can strengthen individual and community positivity and help affirm identity. During the first art class he was showing the kids that artwork can be created from the very scraps that fill their environment. “Teaching the kids that scraps can actually be used to create other things stimulates their minds and gives them something new to do with their free time.”
With that in mind, we came into the 2nd art class looking to build on the concepts of using found objects and other easily accessible items as ways to create art.
Found Objects from Artefacting Mumbai on Vimeo.
Unfortunately, Alex succumbed to the inevitable and was laid out with stomach sickness (note: in 3 weeks we’ve lost only 1.5 days of work from being sick!), so Arne and I had to mix it up a little. Instead of continuing with found objects and scraps, we divided the kids into five groups, each with their own piece of paper to draw on. We gave them crayons, markers, pencil, glue, scissors, magazines… all the typical crafts supply that we have in the workshop. After everyone received their stash of supplies I asked them to draw their community. I should clarify, I asked the interpreter to ask the kids to draw their community –I also had him explain that we are very interested in Dharavi because of the people and the community. From there we let the kids run wild with it, helping to settle the occasional dispute between groups of course, and watching something pretty wonderful unfold in the meantime…
Art Class from Artefacting Mumbai on Vimeo.
Art classes happen every Saturday afternoon for 2-3 hours. Check out more photos from the first two art class below:
Art Class Week 1
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This is so fabulous, thanks for sharing!!
Go on. Teaching art is not a waste of money.
Please, show then how to utter trough art who they are, what they want and fear.
Art can be a healthy source of amusement and a outlet to pain and dispair.
Could you please teach them how to use cheap cameras and video cameras (even those from phones) as creative tools and also how to show their projects and lives to outsiders (through Internet)? It would be great if when you leave they continue creating and uploading to the www their products.
Make then autonomous.
I think you are getting just as much as they are from the art classes. You could do this in any third world country, kids are hungry for a little real attention and creativity, especially when they discover that they, too, can actually create something of their own! Keep it up and keep us informed.
Alex sono sempre più fiera di avere un nipote come te.
Gli occhi di quei bambini sono fantastici, intelligenti e buoni.
Bravi tutti e tre. Spero che altri come voi andranno ad insegnare altre cose. Ma pensandoci bene, sono loro, i bambini che insegnano a noi tutti come si pùò vivere con poco senza bisogno dei nostri stupidi traguardi
excellent work.though m not sure about how much it would help them to grow economically but m sure it would help them to grow as a person and think differently.