The Museum of Goa and La La Foundation have come together to produce 'Homo Ludens: The Art of Play'. The initiative has been made possible by the Fund for Cultural Participation, through the International Collaboration 2022-2024 grant.
The focus of the art exhibition is play existing in everyday life with inspiration drawn from Dutch cultural historian Johan Huizinga’s book, Homo Ludens: A Study of Play Element in Culture.
This insightful impact of play on human life will come across through a cross-cultural dialogue between India and the Netherlands. Artworks and installations that will highlight its significance in culture, society, education, creativity and well-being.
'Homo Ludens' features three shows. 'Homo Ludens: खेल-Spel'; 'Cycle Diaries: A Photo Exhibition' and 'Joint Jesters'. The show will feature 99 artists from India and the Netherlands and will showcase 140 plus artworks.
'Homo Ludens: खेल-Spel' brings into discussion aspects of play in the context of themes such as war, society, childhood, politics, identity and many more.
'Homo Ludens: खेल-Spel', curated by Sajid Wajid Shaikh, will present more than 50 artworks created by 30 artists using various mediums. The exhibition aims to appreciate play in multiple areas of human life, with the intention of making viewers laugh, question, wonder, participate and play.
The works bring into discussion aspects of play in the context of themes such as war, society, childhood, politics, identity and many more.
Prashant Panjiar along with Asmita Parelkar and Sharada Kerkar have curated 'Cycle Diaries: A Photo Exhibition', which will display cycles in daily life as a means to delve into aspects of play. The cycles are seen everywhere in India and the Netherlands, with the Netherlands having more cycles than people.
The exhibition will have 88 photographs from 63 photographers. The photographs show different ways in which humans engage playfully with cycles and how cycles are lifelong companions.
You can find children sporting wheelies to old men returning from work. It also depicts the various things that cycles carry, such as candies, flowers, toys and, most significantly, livelihoods and families.
'Joint Jesters' concentrates on experimentation and play. Here the act of creating becomes a game. The jester, a symbol of freedom, humour and creativity in culture, is the inspiration, as scrutinised by a Dutch researcher, Johan Huizinga.
The jester, a symbol of freedom, humour, and creativity in culture, is the inspiration, as scrutinised by a Dutch researcher, Johan Huizinga.
History tells us that jesters were not just entertainers – they symbolised the playful spirit vital to human culture. Through their humour, satire and mockery, societal norms could be questioned. Being able to criticise playfully demonstrates the power of play to influence thought and culture.
The exhibition 'Joint Jesters' followed the process of the game, 'Exquisite Corpse', developed by the surrealists.
This is a method in art that allows artists to collaborate, traditionally involving each player adding to a folded paper without looking at the previous person’s creation. When unfolded, the results are surprising and whimsical.
The game celebrates chance, imagination and the collective sense of creating. Digital artists from India and the Netherlands reinterpreted the jester using elements from both cultures.
The game Exquisite Corpse allows artists to collaborate, traditionally involving each player adding to a folded paper without looking at the previous person’s creation. When unfolded, the results are surprising and whimsical.
The preview of 'Homo Ludens: The Art of Play' will be held today, October 4, 2024 at 6.30 pm.
There will also be an exclusive tasting of India’s finest, most aged single malt whisky, Crazy Cock, and a session of Cantaram on Vinyl by Leaxan Freitas. The exhibition will be open until Oct 17, 2024, at the Museum of Goa, Pilerne.
DETAILS
WHAT: Preview of ‘Homo Ludens: The Art of Play’ exhibition
WHEN: Friday, October 4, 2024
TIMINGS: 6.30 pm
WHERE: Museum of Goa, Pilerne Industrial Estate, Pilerne, North Goa
CONTACT: +91 77220 89666
E-MAIL: reception.mog@gmail.com