Panaji, October 2024: More than 100 unique artworks created by 90-plus artists from India and the Netherlands were recently thrown open for public viewing at an ongoing international exhibition held at the Museum of Goa (MoG) as part of a collaboration between cultural organisations belonging to the two countries.
This initiative, born from the Fonds Voor Cultuur Participatie International Collaboration 2022-2024 grant, emphasises the element of play as a vital tool for cultural exchange. This grant was signed between MOG from Goa and the Amsterdam-based LaLa Foundation, in order to foster a cultural bridge between India and the Netherlands.
“Play is one of those universal feelings that connects right to the heart, evoking the same joy in the Dutch as it does for Indians, or anyone else in the world,” said Noreen Van Holstein, co-founder, LaLa Foundation.
“‘Homo Ludens: The Art of Play’, an exhibition spread over three segments that are being hosted at the Museum of Goa in Pilerne, is based on the works of Dutch historian Johan Huizinga, who celebrated humans as inherently playful beings. The exhibition explores ideas of play present in everyday life through three shows, namely ‘Homo Ludens: खेल-Spel,’ ‘Cycle Diaries,’ and ‘Joint Jesters’,” explained Sharada Kerkar, operational head of the Museum of Goa, and co-curator of the ‘Cycle Diaries’ show. The three-segment art exhibition is open for public viewing until November 17.
The exhibition’s preview night on Friday commenced with an engaging visitor walkthrough of the shows with artists and curators. Highlights at the event included a ‘Cantaram on Vinyl’ session by Goan musician Leaxan Freitas, along with interactive games that invited attendees to embrace the spirit of play.
The exhibition’s three shows, ‘Homo Ludens: खेल-Spel,’ showcase multimedia artworks; ‘Cycle Diaries,’ is a photo exhibition; and ‘Joint Jesters,’ consist of collaborative digital artworks created by artists from both countries.
Curated by Prashant Panjiar, Asmita Parelkar and Sharada Kerkar, ‘Cycle Diaries’ captures the role of bicycles in embodying aspects of play through everyday situations in both countries. “We put out an open call-cum-contest in both India and the Netherlands, and from over 900 entries, (we) had a blind selection based on the composition of 88 photographs by 63 photographers. The three prize winners turned out to be a student, a photographer, and a postmaster, which shows that artistic talent can come from anyone,” commented Panjiar, a self-taught photojournalist and curator.
Mumbai-based freelance documentary photographer and photojournalist Asmita Parelkar utilised bright colours while designing the exhibition space for the cycle-themed segment to highlight the element of play, stating: “Complimenting the bright pops of colour in many of the photographs, the vibrant spatial design is a reminder that we all need elements of playfulness to spark joy within us.”
‘Homo Ludens: खेल-Spel’ features multimedia artworks that explore various aspects of play across themes such as war, childhood, and politics. Mumbai-based multimedia artist Sajid Wajid Shaikh, curator of this segment, said: “Play is inherent to human beings, present in the most mundane interactions. You don’t need to teach any living being how to play, and that is what the exhibition showcases and celebrates.” ‘Joint Jesters’ is a game developed by surrealists that facilitates collaboration between multiple artists with a unique twist.
“Exhibitions like these elevate the collective consciousness, by infusing fresh blood into Goa’s art scene. Several new artists from Goa, India and the Netherlands have gotten an opportunity to showcase their work, which is a great initiative,” said Goa-based writer-producer-director Deepti Datt, who attended the preview.
Goan artist Sivam Harmalkar, whose photograph is featured in the ‘Cycle Diaries’ segment, said, “It’s a wonderful feeling to see my work appreciated in my home state after showcasing it in London and Delhi.”
This month-and-a-half-long exhibition will also comprise eight interactive workshops at MOG, inviting visitors to fully immerse themselves in the magic of play.
