PROGRAMMES / Community Art

Khoj Vigyapan Workshop

Khoj Vigyapan Workshop
Khirki Masjid is a 14th Century dilapidated mosque in the middle of Khirki village, a small rural pocket abutting Saket Mall in New Delhi. A three day workshop starting on the 3rd of August will address the clash of consumerism within a culturally insulated village. The objective of this workshop is to encourage young minds to critically engage with media through the process of creating an advertising campaign for Khirki Masjid.

During the weekend workshop an ad campaign about Khirki Masjid will be created by the children of Khirki. Through independent and group assignments the participants will learn how to elevate the qualities of the mosque beyond its obvious representations to create a marketable campaign. The exercises in the workshop will be similar to the processes carried out by an advertising agency such as taking photographs, using concepts sheets and copy writing.The aim is to create a billboard draft that can be used in and seen around Khirki.

Oral culture, memory and record
Throughout this exercise the participants will speak to the village elders and bring back stories of the masjid whether personal, historical or mythical and transfer these to the drawing board. These stories will help create the ‘brand’ Khirki. Simultaneously unfolding forgotten stories, anecdotes and revelations about the neglected structure aims to revive the community’s interest in it.

Workshop Schedule

Day 1
Friday, 3 August, 2012

Discussion on what is advertising. Look at and discuss ads.
Look at ads featuring Taj Mahal and Qutub Minar as reference material on architectural photography and monumental advertising.
Process of printing ads and re-creating – to be completed by  art director, copywriter and photographer.
Begin the process. Start by photographing Khirki Mosque.
Discuss concept sheet.

Day 2
Saturday, 4 August, 2012

Share stories and anecdotes about Khirki mosque.
Discuss slogans and catch lines for the ad banner/poster.
Photographs and slogans to be transferred onto a concept sheet.
Photograph the mosque with respect to the stories and concepts discussed.

Day 3
Sunday, 5 August, 2012

Give final touches to the campaign on Photoshop.
Print the posters.
Put the posters all over in Khirki and neighbouring areas.

TAGS Advertising, Architecture, Art Education, Collaboration, Community Art, Community Engagement, Community Outreach, Design, Intervention, Mass Consumer Culture, Narrative Art, Participatory Art, Personal Histories, Photography, Recontextualisation, Workshop