Monday, December 5, 2011

Bhopal #2

India, Trees and Transformation

On the road since September 8 has created new channels and currents as well as the growing capacity to move according to the speed of the flow. Leaving Bhopal yesterday after re-juvenation and reflection felt right. We had spent good time with our 'travelling wallah's - Oriana and Scott and had many discussions about our thoughts on India, Ekta Parishad, our own identities as travellers, contributors or associates. I do often hear Rajagopal's words ringing in my ear from the long ago beginnings in Kanjakumari - keep your focus and the right to land and livelihood for me is perhaps the essence. The right to a place under the sun...and why do I have this without suffering when this is not the truth of the majority? The big questions slip in and out of the stream, and I am eager for our project in Sheopur among the Saharia at an all girls' school. I hope it will become clear how I can use and develop some art lessons to connect to human rights and stories....we shall see.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Expanding: From Trees to Branching Out


Re-thinking and un-learning have been two topics that wove through discussions recently. Paul and I enjoyed a visit from Ravi and Priya on the island connected through shared Ekta Parishad involvement. Priya re-introduced me to the idea of writing and the blog. It occurred to me that my idea of blog- limited posts, quotes, images and very little of 'me' emerging might be expanded to a reflective space. I'm just going to write about what is happening in my life. Let's start with yesterday.

Instead of cleaning up the art room, I spent the morning planning Day 1 of workshops in Grenada for Project Overseas. I realized that I am combining 10 years of art gems and trying to to shoehorn them into 10 days of teacher workshops. This alone would fill my suitcase, and packing has been a problem. Two of the team want to bring an extra suitcase and I would love to as well, but this isn't possible...so simplify, simplify. That is the mantra.

I want to post a photo from yesterday's meeting and wrap up of a two year program called "Lights for Learning'. Two students were instrumental in the completion of the project.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

See Dar

Rainbow Forest