September 2005

22nd-23rd September

The Khoj Studios displayed installations of architect Asim Waqif from Sept 18 to 25. Asim's work explores line and form in dynamic and exciting ways. It was the perfect opportunity to take the students out of their classrooms and have them explore art in a studio space. Asim's practice is based on a fascination with concrete shuttering structures and their 'jugar'-ness or their makeshift quality. Of the two installations on display, B A A N S quite literally explodes outward in the studio space. An intricate construct of bamboo and rope, it is an exploration of space, structure and a tension that is simultaneously physical and symbolic, while T E N S E is an experiment in tensile structural design that employs tension as a basis of erection. The laboriously crafted installations push the viewer to look as spaces from different perspectives. The installations are interactive and in spite of employing simple mechanics, they bear an intricate geometry. To say the students enjoyed themselves would be an understatement. As far as they were concerned B A A N S served to transform the space into a gigantic jungle Jim! Encouraged to climb, crawl and explore to their heart's content, the children attention was also drawn to the play of line and the possibilities of structure and construction. The idea that children might actually learn better when they enjoy themselves was made manifest by the fact that they were able to articulate the role of line within the installations. After each student had a chance to explore the space, they were asked to think about the possibilities of line in nature and to look for lines in their immediate environment. From sticks, to jhadoos each child made a personal discovery and adventure of the impromptu show and tell. Next weeks classes will focus on expanding on this weeks exercise and encouraging the students to fashion miniature models with the building block of lines.

29th-30th September
Lines, lines everywhere!!!

This lesson aimed at expanding the students' ability to identify and discuss the art element line. They learned that artists make many different kinds of lines. Last weeks visit to the Khoj Studios to see the work of architect Asim Waqif was used as the base upon which to build this weeks class. The students were asked to recall their experience of the installation and the manner in which line was used to fashion and construct.

Materials: Matchsticks, glue, paper.
Lesson Objectives:
Students:
a) perceived, described and identified different kinds of lines in artworks and their environment.
b) understood that artists use lines for different purposes
c) created different kinds of lines with drawing tools and the matchsticks.
d) Experimented and explored the materiality and medium of collage by sticking the matchsticks, paper onto paper.

Results:
The students both junior and senior had a wonderful time. For the first time they stayed on beyond the duration of the class to complete their pieces. The junior students were incredibly open to experimentation, sticking and pasting with a wonderful abandon that was yet guided by an aesthetic. It was a joy working with them.The senior class was very receptive; each student took the lesson seriously and was eager to explore the new media with individuality and excitement. To begin with many were reticent to let go of their scales and pencils but they very soon went beyond the broad lesson guidelines and explored three dimensionality on the two dimensional paper surfaces. What began as initial cautious pieces developed very quickly into bold and dynamic works that combined drawing and collage.

Rohini Devasher and Aastha Chauhan