Give and Take in Art between Holland and India started in 1997. My thoughts rolled over the process of learning and practising as an artist and poet in a foreign country. My being a painter, sculptor, printmaker and poet was diverse enough to roll out my thoughts to organise artistic activities between the East and the West. Actually, I am at the last corner of the square where I could meet and reflect myself. I complete the square too. 23 years ago, after completing a 5 year academic education in Applied Arts from Mumbai, I landed in Holland to learn painting, where I learnt painting and pursued my artistic endeavours, by adhering to the Dutch way of looking and understanding European Art at a Dutch Academy.Today, I have invited artists from India, most are 25 years younger than me, and a college mate from Mumbai days who witnessed my formative years as an artist. World around us has changed a lot drastically. It has been changing always, no matter what the circumstances are, but speed of change is today geared in a flying mood. In field of art, methods and medium have developed a new sky space called cyber space. Technology innovated solutions to problems of methods and systems. Innovators served the purpose of mankind to work in better environment. Moving offices adding dramatic theatre spaces to step in. Interiors of living spaces surfaced the elements that make persons feel more comfortable at home. Spiritual thirst began to seek silence in information space. Sound and visual brought together to create another planet of neighbours. Computer unit is your buddy, internet connection are the strings of your guitar or sitar and you google Aladdin's lamp to enter Alibaba's cave.
Skyscrapers mushroom in clouds and metros are running underneath cities where monuments are aging, their foundations laid centuries and centuries ago. New towns emerging as globally prosperous cities in a short time. Developments are taking place to introduce talented methods to implement long term solutions. Call it a process of societal transformation. What happens when a common man travels to tourist destinations, or an artist travelling to his willing destination ? Need to see a new world and seeking inspirational fields is very much in common. But eyes of an artist has something different than a common man. Obtaining experience is surely not the criteria, but outcome of the journey is self-education to both of them and a great contribution to the society.
Give and Take in Art is the concept that I, in my surroundings makes me think about others. Process of development is studied in Art History. What should I think about myself ? Was it a possibility to develop within limitations of borders? Amusing past is a part to enjoy being in one situation. Place third person in same situation, one may not share the same kind of experience, but his own field of interest gives wider view to him and me. I like to share the experience, not as a teacher but as a companion. Showing one's creativity makes one more interested in his evolving process, his thoughts and views about surroundings and society. World is full of hate and anger. Keeping up appearance is much interesting, who knows where humour ends and anger burns.
23 years is indeed a long period to obtain experience living in a foreign country and culture, as an artist who was not in a position to fulfil even his educational wishes in a foreign land. So, why not give opportunity to others, at least on short visits and joy to see original art by great masters and contemporary artists. Vice a versa, give them same opportunity in own culture also. There are government bodies who provide the platform. But bureaucratic hurdles are much higher than suspected in my experience. Overcoming financial limitations are of highest priorities to fulfil wishes. Sponsorship world is much shadowed. Our areas of interests is very much limited to creative activities.
In 23 years lots have changes have taken place in The Hague too. The Royal Academy, where I studied, many foreign students obtained Diplomas and jumped into the ocean of free expression in their own countries, while some like me stayed back to pursue their creative dreams here in The Hague itself. Questions of circumstances of this situation is what, and where I personally experienced. For the Dutch section I have chosen artists who have faced the same kind of errors and enthusiastic imbalance before rediscovering themselves everyday. This is not the first time that I am organising group exhibitions. Coloured Festival, Merging Colours, Give and Take Part 1& 2, Two World Accents are to name a few. Artists Jessy Rahman, Gamel Ez, Fathel Neema Jasim, Anat Ratzabi, Gemma Tro Anreau and Clara Palli are foreign born. Rineke Kop and Clemens Zalm are insiders representing The Netherlands. Abir Patwardhan, Abhay Varpe, Lakshman Gore, Santosh Shirsat are young artists in their twenties, are from Pune, close to the place where I was born. Montosh Lall and Montu Patra are college mates from my good old Mumbai days.
In 1994, NUFFIC financially supported my project 'Your Form My Creation" in India. Artimediair Foundation is a platform where I have shared my views since 1986. 20 years is long period of time. It has been an enriching experience over years in a multi-culturral foundation in a Dutch environment. I have participated in international art activities like The North Sea Jazz Festival for last 13 years and shaped Give and Take 1, 2 & 3 Holland-India.
I was interested to showcase some of the collection of my project " Your Form My Creation" with multicultural activities in India. Today it is housed and shown at Vaishwik Art Environment, Pune, a fruit of my years of hard work and experience supported by friends and local artists who support liberal views. Artimediair is the Dutch side of the bridge while Vaishwik is the India face.
I have always enjoyed being an artist. Expressing through mind and vision where creativity can reach. I am thankful to Institute of Social Studies, The Hague for this wonderful gesture by providing the venue for Give And Take 3. I am also thankful to platforms who have shown interest towards such a concept. NUFFIC, Ballon Gezelschape,Amsterdam, Amber International Amsterdam have supported this concept from time to time. I also salute STROOM for being the pillar of support and inspiration for artists in The Hague.
Artimediar and Vaishwik are taking initiatives organise international multicultural activities regularly, in Holland and India.
Bhaskar Hande
23 April'06 The Hague
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