KOCHI: A month to go for Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) 2014 to kick off, but the foundation is already making its presence felt in the local schools in Fort Kochi. KMB 2014 organised an art workshop at Cottolengo Special School the other day as a part of their Children’s Biennale initiative.
The project is aimed at contributing to the development of art education in India and to engage young learners into art appreciation and art-making. The Children’s Biennale is intended to be platform for all stakeholders such as learners, facilitators, parents and institutions to come together and explore the fresh perspectives along with innovative methods of art engagement.
“We have already conducted a workshop in Raksha Special School. The workshop in Cottolengo was the second one. We have also done video presentations in Aasiabai High School and Loreto Anglo Indian School. Next week we will be havingf a history-based video presentation in one of the school in Fort Kochi,” said Revathi, one of the volunteers for Children’s Biennale.
The art workshop commenced with a story recital by Revathi. “It is a story about an angel. The angel asks the children as to which places they would want to visit. Some said gardens, other said they want to travel in a ship, while one of them particular said she wanted to travel on the top of an airplane. Whatever they wish they can draw,” said Revathi, who joined Biennale Foundation after completing her BCom.
The Cottolengo students, armed with crayons and paints, lifted up the spirits of the school and its visitors. “There are many students here who are interested in art and draw well. Some of them never touch colours or paints but today a child in particular has been using crayons to draw. Maybe it’s the spirit of Biennale,” said Sister Judit.
Among the students of Cottolengo, Ramala in particular will be easily spotted. She has a joyful aura about her that would remind anyone that age is no bar for learning. “Ramala is the oldest student here. We are not exactly sure but she should be in her 60’s and has been living in our boarding since the past 20 years,” added Sister Judit.
The Children’s Biennale will be organising specially designed programmes with a focus on conceptual learning through art. The programmes will be inclusive and with an aim to meet the learning requirements of learners with different needs and of varied age groups.
The Children’s Biennale will also include pre-visit and post-visit workshops in local schools, guided tours designed for specific age groups, and working with local schools for differently-abled children to design and develop need-based engagements such as touch tours for the blind and workshops for the facilitators.
In addition to this, the Biennale will host learning groups from across the country and have online engagements that can be facilitated remotely for groups that are unable to visit the Biennale.