Bhubaneswar: The state is set to host a first of its kind triennial event that will bring together artists, writers and craftsmen to showcase its history, art, literature and culture. Named the Odisha Triennial of International Art (OTIA), the event to be organised by Artists Network Promoting Indian Culture (ANPIC), will go on for three months from December at Konark, Puri and Bhubaneswar. ANPIC is a state-based socio-cultural organisation that promotes social integration through art and culture.
According to the organizers, OTIA will offer a platform for cultural interaction as artists will be able to meet international counterparts and get to develop an appreciation and love for the arts.
The website of ANPIC and the logo for OTIA were launched here Sunday. MP Pinaki Mishra, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena, art historian and curatorial director of OTIA Johny ML and artist Rajendra Patil were present on the occasion.
Shashanka Mohapatra, managing trustee, ANPIC, said the organisation has an inclusive approach towards nation building and focuses on both state and central government objectives in the concerned areas. ANPIC also aims at creating cultural bridges between the urban and rural areas by establishing avenues to bring creative artists and entrepreneurs together. OTIA is an attempt to make the state an artistic hub in the country.
“Odisha has produced several creative geniuses in art and culture. Each year ANPIC will organize a national level exhibition in the state integrating the temple cities and folk and tribal spaces. While this annual exhibition is meant for the national artists exclusively, OTIA will be a platform for international artists to exhibit their works alongside Indian artists in general and works of artists from Odisha in particular. This platform will also feature seminars focused on contemporary cultures from across the world,” he said.
According to Shashanka, ANPIC intends to create a series of avenues to generate links with national and international universities to promote research in tribal traditions, knowledge systems, medicine practices, art and culture of Odisha and elsewhere. It would also publish research papers, findings and monographs in these areas. “We have plans to establish an exclusive museum for folk and tribal art of Odisha. Besides, we also intend to create a contemporary art and culture museum with state-of-the-art facilities,” Shashanka said.
Johny, the curatorial director of OTIA, said the event will be a platform for cultural exchange and will help develop art and artists of the state. “India hosted the first triennial in 1968 and has conducted 11 international art exhibitions so far,” he said and added that the triennial showcases current trends, happenings and contemporary art movements the world over. “It provides a visual reference point to study the current state of art in the world today. OTIA will be a significant initiative which will be organized by the APNIC every three years.”
Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said Bhubaneswar, as a Smart City, will offer the perfect space to host such an event where several artists and writers, craftsperson and academicians will participate.
Kshitsh Das, an artist and chief coordinator of the event, said that in the next two months an art gallery cum artists residence centre will be established near the Twin Cities.
Artists Durga Prasad Das, Banambar Nayak, Pratap Jena, and Choudhary Joshna Das were felicitated for their contributions to art and culture on the occasion.
