Silk River – Final Report Feb 2018

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10 Artists Along the way we met and interacted with a range of artisans and artists, appreciating the role of crafts in Bengali society, the talent and the potential for harnessing it and future collaboration. Schools. The presentations from schools were of a very high standard, and it was brilliant that in most cases we were able to offer them gifts that had been created by UK schools and we have been able to make connections now that could be followed up. Total participants in the India school projects were estimated to be 670 children during and before the December Indian walks, along with their staff and teachers. It was a new experience for Think Arts to work with students outside Kolkata and they were amazed at the effort that the teachers and students put in, to gather stories and information about the river, their town and their heritage. Ultimately Think Arts are certain that a large number of the students are now looking at their very own towns with more pride than they did before. Closing Ceremony – Victoria Memorial Thanks to Dr. Jayanta Sengupta of Victoria Memorial Hall, a spectacular closing ceremony on 16 Dec brought the project to a very strong conclusion. It was a beautiful end to the international celebration of culture that is Silk River. It was attended by: Sir Dominic Asquith, High Commissioner Bruce Bucknell, Dep. High Commissioner Alan Gemmell, Director of British Council India Debanjan Chakraborti, East India Director BC and Amit Mitra, Finance Minister, West Bengal Govt. Closing Ceremony, Victoria Memorial Hall, Dec 16 th 2017 The closing ceremony highlighted the significance of Silk River and has led to exciting discussions to develop legacy projects, both in the UK and India. “[Silk River] brings together the silk, design, colour, people to make the silk, to come up with the designs, to work together, and it also brings together what actually happens in the communities that these banners represent…It’s been thrilling to have all these people over from Britain and to actually stir up and bring you this idea of making places and bringing intangibles, what makes communities, what makes a place.” British Deputy High Commissioner Kolkata, Bruce Bucknell
11 Questions These are the things we are asking as the Silk River 2017 project ends: • Can we create a Silk River network from which we can build a legacy for the communities along both rivers? • How do we harness the potential of creating a refreshed demand for Murshidabad silk, and create new products made by local crafts people that can sell in global markets empowering local communities? • Can this model have an impact on the way communities feel about their place? Do they perceive themselves to be part of a wider landscape? Will the city take note of their contribution and their assets? • Is this a replicable international model? Can it be applied as a tool for artists to connect with communities in the process of transition and regeneration? • How can we encourage the partnerships to grow? Project Legacy Following the successful completion of the project, there have been a number of strategic meetings with key partners examining potential and appetite for legacy activity. This has led to a proposed series of follow up projects that would fit within the wider context of a Memorandum of Understanding between WB Govt and British Council East India (which includes arts showcasing, exchange of artists and personnel, cultural skills, heritage and conservation). The Silk River legacy programme would be an important pillar of this and goes some way to addressing the questions above. Legacy Projects India • Silk River Festival for October 2108, in development, to coincide with Durga Puja, which could make Silk River an Experience Bengal offer for international tourists and academic visitors and researchers. • Silk River Scrolls to feature in a Durga Puja Pandal designed by Abin Chaudhuri in 2018. • Silk River Book and Exhibition Jan 2019, in discussion with Emami Arts. • Artistic exchange opportunities to the UK. Opportunities have been identified to link Chandannagar lighting artists with the Barking and Dagenham Glow Festival. Other opportunities include sending Bengali artists to be part of the Totally Thames festival programme or to be present at the Southend Exhibition. Legacy Projects UK • Proposed exhibition – River Sutra – a preview of the Durga Puja Pandal, a showcase for Murshidabad silk and a range of West Bengal crafts. Currently in development. • Artists Opportunities Kinetika will train 10 Silk River artists on upcoming projects, with the aim to identify 2 additional lead artists and provide further work. • Processions – 15 ‘Silk River Women’ have been invited by Kinetika to contribute to this project, which is a nationwide initiative by Artichoke about celebrating women and female suffrage. 5 banners will be created, celebrating women from along the Thames Estuary. • Silk River exhibition in Southend March 2018. • Chelsea Flower Show in May 2018, Silk River scrolls could be part of the Indian Garden commissioned by British Council India.
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Silk River – Final Report Feb 2018

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