THE NEW GOAN IDENTITY IN CONTEMPORARY GOAN ART

 

THE NEW GOAN IDENTITY IN CONTEMPORARY GOAN ART

Curator: Pranali Dighe

Artist/ Researcher: Siddhi Arsekar

Topic: The New Goan Identity in Contemporary Goan Art.

Idea: The focus is on the contemporary art of the state of Goa. The stereotypical identity of Goa which is created by various visual media as well as contemporary platforms is questioned. it is answered by shedding a light on various artists and artworks which talk about the various other identities of Goa. This dissertation is an attempt to decode the various identities of Goa.

Process: Most of the dissertation was ready during the commencing of the workshop. But this workshop helped by introducing a new perspective to the topic; which was the concept of 'identity'. This gave a whole new dimension to the dissertation. When we talk about Goa, why does only beaches, or booze and night life come to the mind is the question that has always kept bothering Siddhi. The discussion began by decoding every word from the topic of the dissertation. So different questions about "The New Goan', 'Identity', 'Contemporary' and 'Goan Art' came forward. What exactly do these terms mean. How are they used or exploited by the artists or art platforms.

    The title of the dissertation, 'The New Goan Identity in Contemporary Goan Art' itself gave rise to the four mind maps. First dealt with the concept of the 'New Goan', second spoke about the 'Identity', the third, 'Contemporary' and the final one about the 'Goan art (traditional + modern). The 'New Goan' mind map clarified about the contemporary platforms or the contemporary happenings in Goa. These included the various exhibitions or galleries too. The 'Identity' mind map spoke about the different identities which can be associated with Goa. The 'Contemporary' mindmap included the list of the artists she dealt with in her dissertation. And the final 'Goan Art' included the existing art practices which were clubbed into different sections like the lifestyle, environmental practices, practices that dealt with the historical context, the traditional artforms of Goa like the Kavi art, etc.

     In the display all these ideas were put together by making a map of Goa on the cloth by using the hemp rope. The cloth was used specifically to convey the idea of the fluidity that the state of Goa possesses according to her dissertation. On the map, the photographs of the artworks of different artists that she had considered from the mindmap three, of the artists were stuck at the various places mostly from where they belonged. The posters of the exhibitions considered were hung at the side creating an enclosed space for the viewer to experince this display.

Concept Note: By Pranali Dighe

Siddhi Arsekar is an artist who completed her Bachelor's from Goa College of Art, Goa and is currently pursuing Art History from Department of Art History and Aesthetics from The Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda, Vadodara. Hailing from Mapusa, a city in Goa, a region full of vibrancy in various spheres of life. There are pristine beaches along with the dense green forests which comprises the main geography of Goa. This diversity is undermined by the need to have an 'essential' Goan identity.

Siddhi discusses this contemporary scenario of Goa through socio-cultural, political, economic, historical and environmental frameworks. The recent issues or the happenings of Goa which are forming a new identity are discussed. Recently Goa has witnessed a sudden boost in the Tourism sector. It is supported by advertisements as well as depictions in films or the digital media, creating a new archetype of Goa. This is also reflected in contemporary art. Artists are depicting this culture in their works which itself is creating a new identity of the place. This identity is consciously moulded to be viewed from a particular lens. Siddhi is questioning this new archetype of Goa. She traces the 'New Goan identity of Goan Contemporary Art' through the heterogeneity in works of various Goan artists shedding a light on the works which were never considered or discussed about. Themes like simple village life, the landscapes, the bustling cityscapes, the folklores and cultural aspects come up which were forgotten.

The art scene in Goa has a glitch. Under the aspirations of empowering the locals, the regional demarcations are blurred. Various art festivals or exhibitions are emerging to support this which Siddhi interrogates. Highlighting on all these aspects, she leaves it upon the audience to interpret this new identity.