The Gunehar experiment

In the middle of last month, excited residents of Gunehar, an otherwise somnolent hamlet in the Kangra Valley, were spotted taking to the sky at regular intervals. Sporting variously bemused, quizzical, timorous, but mostly curiosity-laced expressions on their ruddy visages as they soared above. That it is set in close proximity to Bir-Billing, a popular paragliding destination, facilitates to a great extent an urge to peer down at the enormous, brilliantly-hued leaves that are still embellishing rooftops and other flat surfaces of their village below. This, an installation titled From the Sky , is the handiwork of multidisciplinary artist Puneet Kaushik, a well-known face on the Indian contemporary arts scene. Who, alongside other equally talented peers, is currently stationed in this Himalayan haven as a participant at the second edition of a rather unique conceptual arts event called ShopArt ArtShop (SA/AS).

This effort, initiated by Frank Schlichtmann in 2013, brings emerging and established artists to a remote village for a month-long project, culminating in a festival of arts, culture, exhibitions, movies, fashion shows and drama. It’s an opportunity for the group to experiment in the unique environment of the village, explore new methods, and for emerging artists to receive the support and mentoring of seasoned practitioners. These artists do not operate in isolation from the village and villagers, but are instead encouraged to engage with their hosts as much as possible. The resulting works reflect the ability of artists to transcend boundaries: rural-urban, traditional-modern, national-global. Following the festival (now underway), some of the artwork created here will find their way to different locations and galleries around the world in a series of follow-up exhibitions.

Schlichtmann, who was born in Hamburg to a Bengali mother and German father, came to India for the first time when he was barely four. He started the ‘4Tables Project’ almost eight years ago, with the “aim of creating a space for alternative and meaningful living”. “The project has grown from a small gallery and cafe to now include village beautification activities, restoration of traditional buildings, interactive village activities and, of course, SA/AS,” Schlichtmann says. He chose the village because it is relatively untouched by commerce and also because he believes that in a truly globalised world, a small village can be as valuable as any other place.

Back on terra firma, villagers vie with each other to catch a glimpse of, and acquaint themselves with, the artistic flurry that has completely inundated their unused shops since the past few weeks. Inquisition comes equal and unprejudiced for both familiar and unfamiliar terrain. Mudita Bhandari from Indore, an exciting ceramics artist, with many international residencies to her name, fends the queries with dexterity from the confines of her ‘studio’. “This is the best and most meaningful residency I have ever been to,” she exclaims, delighting in the interest directed at her Terracotta Space Installation. Shrishta and Reshmi Kapoor, who keep vigil with her while her creations dry, chime in unison, “ Achha lag raha hai (It feels nice).This is new for us, and very exciting. It’s great to see everybody working together, helping each other... gareeb-amir ka koi pharak nahi lag raha hai (We don’t feel there’s a rich-poor divide here)”

Vinod Kumar opines, “Last time, the villagers were a little shy because they didn’t know about these things. This time everyone is very excited.” Uma, Monika and Sapna, college-goers all, find much inspiration from the ongoing buzz. “When we see all these women artists, we get encouraged: we too can be like them and travel the world. Our parents have a lot of trust in the project because they have seen the first one. Now they understand that it’s good.” They amble off to chit-chat with illustrator Sheena Devaiah (The ‘Dead Spaces’ Collective), who is thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to completely uproot herself from her usual work setting. Not too far away, Gargi Chandola, a graphic designer helming the Gunehar Market Square Graffiti, is engaged in an animated chat with visitors. Amrit Vatsa (3MinuteStories) saunters around looking for still more stories to tell. “Usually I go out to film after knowing the story. Here I was told, come and find stories!”

The organisers are an equally chuffed lot. Kaushik believes this is perhaps the most beautiful way of bringing city life to the village and vice versa, engaging everyone at a cultural, artistic, and emotional level. Patel quotes Mahatma Gandhi (“The future of India lies in its villages”) as she reaches out to those jaded with traipsing through countless art booths in art fairs or glitzy, elitist white cube art gallery openings. And Schlichtmann, he is just bustling around, trouble-shooting and generally thrilled to bits at the swelling enthusiasts walking in to see his dream come to fruition. “It’s inconceivable that something this modern could take place in a village setting this remote”, voices an amazed Tanay from Vadodara, as he reluctantly settles into the backseat of his family car, as they prepare to return.

Puneetinder Kaur Sidhu is a Chandigarh-based travel writer

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