ISIS Arts commissioned two Indian artists to create unique public art works for Durham Enlightenment Festival 6-8th November 2008. The works by Nandita Palchoudhury and Sanchayan Ghosh represented a traditional and contemporary approach to the use of light in public art. ISIS has been shortlisted for the Arts Council Award 2008 (Journal Culture Awards) for these commissions |
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Calcutta Lights
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Following time spent in Kolkata, West Bengal, we were impressed by the
city wide use of lights as part of their traditional Durga Puja Festival.
A tradition dating back many years where the 10,000 or so communities of
Kolkata create lighting scapes to promote their neighbourhoods. The designs
are produced by the community, and the thousands of lighting panels are
created in workshops in and around the city.
Nandita Palchoudhury is a Kolkata based producer and designer, working with the most renowned lighting craftsmen of West Bengal. ISIS invited Nandita to the UK to consider a commission for Durham. She was much taken by this historic city, and produced designs which referenced its famous cathedral. The lighting panels were created in West Bengal, and adorned Elvet Bridge on traditional bamboo arches. |
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Light of Darkness (A memoir to The Venerable Bede and the Coal Miners of Durham)
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For the second commission ISIS was keen to invite non traditional
contemporary artists Indian artists to create new artworks with light.
Sanchayan Ghosh is a lecturer based at Kala Bhavana, Visva Bharati, Santiniketan
in Kolkata. Sanchayan visited Durham and was greatly interested in Durham's
History.
His commission drew together elements of Durham's mining tradition and the thoughts of The Venerable Bede in a striking pair of eyes, which looked out across the Wear from Framwellgate Bridge. The centre of the each pupil was made up of over 300 miners helmets and lights. |
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