Street Art (ST+ART) in Delhi

I saw a notice sometime last weekend about a street art festival, WIP (works in progress) that was going on this month and sponsored by the ST+ART foundation which strives to "create an art-hub in an unexpected space to offer diverse sectors of society newer experiences, especially to people who are usually excluded from the reach of art" according to their website. Today was the last day of their temporary exhibit at a dry dock in Okhala, where artists had been painting on shipping containers to create their works. When the show closes, these shipping containers will then continue their normal lives in transit, bringing a bit of art across the country, and maybe even the world. 

As we got to the space we saw that often these works were across multiple containers stacked 3-4 high or across. In addition as we walked around I realized that some artists had chosen to decorate the inside of a container, a special surprise for workers I would guess. I particularly liked the one of a face made of faces.  

Wandering around each corner revealed something new, given me new appreciation of how the artists were able to wrap their work around corners or buildings, using space in somewhat unusual ways. It was a definitely a different way to enjoy an afternoon out and about in Delhi. 

Surajkund Craft Mela

Shopping at the mela

Just one of the many decorations

Last weekend I went about an hour away to Haryana to experience the Surajkund Craft Mela. The mela, which claims to be the largest in the world, is only open for two weeks. During that time it draws in nearly a million visitors. You might think that would mean that there are so many people you can't really shop or appreciate the work on offer, but if you arrive early, and head further off the main thoroughfare you can actually take the time to wander and admire the crafts for sale. What surprised me was that it is actually more than just a craft sale. Around every new section there were stages set up with a variety of performances going on - a drum circle one place, a sample of dancing at another...it is a celebration of the variety of culture in India. I was equally surprised by the large displays set up ranging from replica gates to carvings, to flower covered structures to self proclaimed "selfie spots" the couple of hours we spent there was about much more than shopping.

Music box player

Sacred geometry

Completed madala

This past week the elementary school has been celebrating India week. Each year the school brings in a variety of craftspeople, performers, and other individuals that are just samples of what make India such a varied and fascinating country. This year we were particularly lucky to have 3 Tibetan monks stay for a few days and create a sand peace mandala. A symbolic form of prayer, where each individual element has meaning, it is also a work of art made all the more impressive by its impermanence. The monks spent a day and half carefully allowing sand to fall out of specially made metal cones, creating a design that not only had great detail but also had a three dimensional aspect to it. How they can create such a thing with sand is still beyond my comprehension despite watching them work for about half an hour with only each other and their mental plan to reference. Then to watch them sweep it up at the end of the second day releasing the work as prayer for peace and the happiness of all things sent home the message of impermanence.

Laying down sand carefully

Each piece of the mandala has its own meaning. The middle with the lotus flower is a symbol of purifying passion into awareness. In each direction from there are seated the retinue of Avalokiteshvara (who represents freedom from attachment), purified aspects of hatred (blue), misery (yellow), ignorance (white) and jealousy (green).  The outermost circle with its burning flames are for protection and to burn away the delusion and darkness of ignorance. The process of visualizing and meditating on the different meanings embedded in the mandala brings about change in the psyche of each individual as it helps to lead them to a more purified state. In fact it is believed that just a glimpse of the mandala can create a positive impression on an individual, touching them for a moment with the potential for perfect enlightenment.

Detail of the mandala

And so I wish you a week filled with peace and happiness as symbolized in this mandala for so short a time period.