the goan I network
PANAJI
The nationwide protests and turmoil over the alleged communally discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) brought in by the Modi-led government left indelible smudge marks on art at the ongoing Serendipity Arts Festival with organisers obscuring at least two exhibits which obliquely referred to the unrest in the country's Northeastern region.
In its fourth edition this year, the Serendipity Arts Festival which has grown into one of the biggest curated art shows of the country, has offered no explanation for abruptly closing for viewing two works which make oblique references to the turmoil in the Northeast caused by the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam.
One of the exhibits related to the electronic broadcast of Miyah poetry by Dalit and other poets from North East. The poetry is said to be articulating anxiety among Muslims in the region.
Also on Wednesday, four members of the reputed and popular band Dastaan Live, were charged and arrested for a performance in which they have been accused of insulting the sentiments of Hindus.
The developments, meanwhile upset a significant section of the artists and performers and at least a dozen of them then flocked and took to the stage at the iconic Azad Maidan where thousands of Goans had gathered to register their protest.
The second exhibit which was abruptly shut for viewing involved the showcasing of ink 'up-cycled' from carbon extracted from polluted air emissions which enables carbon-negative printing.
Both the exhibits were curated by contemporary artist Sudarshan Shetty who said he stands by all the work which was exhibited at the festival.
The title of the installation ensemble curated by Shetty was 'Look outside the House'. It showcased indigenous inventions with origins in catering to real life which have lasting social impact on communities, according to the preview handout.
Shetty also offered visitors the opportunity to scribble graffiti of their choice on empty canvases with pens loaded with the unique black ink. But by day four of the exhibition, art aficionados scribbled at will graffiti with anti-CAA and anti-NRC slogans among others, leading to barring it from being viewed any further.
A third exhibit of Shetty's scheduled to have made an appearance did not see the light of day due to the protests against CAA in the Northeast.
Strangely, the organising team of the festival refused to offer any comment. The public relations arm of the festival too did not oblige with any explanation or comment.
"Due to ongoing protests against CAA in Northeast, we could not procure the Goggles for the Blind, in time for his show," says a note put up.
Strangely, Shetty claimed organisers gave him the excuse of "technical issues" for being unable to display his exhibits related to Miyah poetry and the carbon ink graffiti.
