Navjot Altaf
Since 1970s she has created an oeuvre which constitutes an
ever-growing flow of video, sculptures, installations and site-specific works
that negotiate various disciplinary boundaries. The essence of her imagery
comes out of her theoretical and methodological innovation, combined with
deeply engaged readings of historical and contemporary art, film and cultural
theory. The process has helped her address and realize the significance of
transdisciplinary work “whose nature is not merely to cross disciplinary boundaries
but to rearrange mental landscape”. Since 1997 She has also been working in
collaboration with indigenous artists and community members on ongoing ‘Nalpar’
sites and ‘Pilla Gudi’ –‘Art in public space’ projects in Bastar district.
Nalpar and Pilla Gudi projects in collaboration with indigenous
artists Rajkumar Korram, Shantibai, Gessuram, Gangadevi from Bastar, Navjot
Altaf from Mumbai and neighboring communities’, Bastar, Chattisgarh State,
Central India.
To
understand parallel and different modes of art making, art and public space in
relation to different disciplines and areas of study and research we got
interested in interactive / co-operative / collaborative art making processes.
And ‘art’ that evolves from dialogical process, an endeavor that is
exploratory, collaborative and dynamic, questioning our visual and cultural
literacy, limitations and conditioning. As we come from different cultural
backgrounds, to discuss contemporary art practices critically, we have been
coining terminology and the language to have deeper dialogue between us. It
requires a long term involvement to perceive, formulate or develop visions and
work /rework on them. Interaction with community members over period has helped
us to understand the workings of the social networks, and issues associated
with respect for adivasi culture and human dignity. Issues at stake also
included the urgent need to be informed about social rights to enable them to
make decisions, however basic they may be.
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