Caste, gender, disabilities… artist voices speaking up for the marginalized in the news

A SUMMARY OF THE MOST EXCITING ART NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

While we focus on Indian art, we can’t obviously function in a vacuum. It’s a small world and everything is connected, especially on the web. So, let’s train our spotlight across the world map to see what’s going on — from art trends to socio-political issues to everything that affects the great aesthetic global consciousness. Or, let’s just travel the world and have some fun!

A powerful show on Dalit identity by Rahee Punyashloka

Rahee Punyashloka, 28, the artist is better known by his social media handle @artedkar, is currently engaged in his first solo show of digital works at gallery Method in Mumbai. Reviews say “his duo-chrome works memorialise and celebrate the Dalit resistance against India’s troubling caste practices”. Based out of Delhi and Bhubaneshwar, Punyashloka trained in filmmaking. He has made experimental shorts, some of which were selected by international film festivals. As @artedkar, he presents his many observations as a Dalit artist, with both visuals and text, with both the past and the present – history and current events – at his disposal. The Indian Express tells you more.

This art project is helping women reclaim public spaces in Bengaluru

Bengaluru-based artist Indu Antony has put together Cecilia’ed, a project that focuses on the safety of women in public spaces. To draw attention to the subtle ways in which women are excluded from male-dominated public spaces, she took the help of a friend, flamboyant 76-year-old Cecilia. Together, the two have are hosting \’reopening\’ ceremonies for streets that are considered unsafe for women. At these ceremonies, pamphlets are handed out to bystanders. A helpline number is also shared where people can share their messages with the pre-recorded voice of Cecilia, reports Deccan Herald. The concerns are then shared further with NGOs. NDTV reports on the details.

Dutch museum puts up special exhibit for visually impaired

The Utrecht Central Museum in Amsterdam has launched an unusual project this month in a push to make its offerings more accessible and enjoyable for the visually impaired — an exhibition titled ‘The Blind Spot’. The Dutch exhibit recreates existing paintings but with extra dimensions, such as sound and smell — including the aroma of ripe cheese. And for once, museum-goers are allowed to touch. The museum\’s head of inclusivity said Blind Spot was one experiment on the way to more improvements, with better accessibility and facilities as important as the display. Reuters explores the reactions.

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