Coloured Toys- Rabindranath Tagore

Coloured Toys

 

 

When I bring to you coloured toys, my child,
I understand why there is such a play of colours on clouds, on water,
and why flowers are painted in tints
---when I give coloured toys to you, my child.

When I sing to make you dance
I truly now why there is music in leaves,
and why waves send their chorus of voices to the heart of the listening earth
---when I sing to make you dance.

When I bring sweet things to your greedy hands
I know why there is honey in the cup of the flowers
and why fruits are secretly filled with sweet juice
---when I bring sweet things to your greedy hands.

When I kiss your face to make you smile, my darling,
I surely understand what pleasure streams from the sky in morning light,
and what delight that is that is which the summer breeze brings to my body
---when I kiss you to make you smile.

 

- Rabindranath Tagore

 

Come Back To Where You Are presents a new body of work in video and photography by Michelle Walsh. Her practice explores contemporary portraiture at the point where neuroscience intersects with Eastern philosophy. In the interview that follows, Michelle discusses this new project in detail.

NAE: For Come Back To Where You Are you have used Hyson Green as your focal point to work directly with a number of religious and secular groups such as the Soto Zen Buddhists, the Baha'i Community, Sai Dham practitioners, Friends of the Western Buddhist Order, Kadampa Buddhists and Yoga practitioners. Can you describe the starting point of the project?

MW: For this exhibition I have photographed people in Nottingham who are already involved in contemplative  practices, directly after they had been meditating, doing  yoga, singing devotional Bhajans or contemplating on spiritual themes such as love. Subjects were invited to do the opposite of what usually happens when being photographed: they stood with eyes closed in front of the camera and reconnected to the heart of the particular practice they had just engaged in. When they felt present and centred, able to maintain their attention focused inward rather than projected out to the camera, they would open their eyes and look at the lens. Once their eyes were opened I captured their portrait instantaneously.

NAE: This collection builds on the themes of previous work in photography and video. For example, your earlier series, Out of Nowhere, Nothing Answered (2011), explored contemporary portraiture at the point where neuroscience intersects with Eastern philosophy. In that project you used an EEG machine to read the brainwaves of sitters, with the camera only being triggered when the mind was at a pre-determined deeply relaxed state. Can you describe how this new project, Come Back To Where You Are, relates to and extends on this previous work?

MW: In the previous work, the experience of turning the attention inwards within the installation space was the key thing. With this current project, working with people who already have some experience of contemplative practices, the focus was on whether the subtle shift from keeping the attention strongly focused inwards rather than projected outwards to the camera could come across in a portrait.


 

 

Mosakaa Recipe from NAE's Newspaper, The Exchange on Sunday

 

 

 

 

 

Throughout June and July, The New Art Exchange has opened up its doors on Sunday to artists, commmunity groups, and families. There has been a range of events and activities for everyone to enjoy.

 

This Sunday, see 'Hatch: Scratched', a theatre performance taking place around NAE from 1pm- 5pm. From 6pm- 8pm Flamenco dancer, Fiona Malena will also be performing (http://thenewartexchange.org.uk/puertas/). There is also a range of family activities, Henna Art, and a special menu of brunches, teas and sweets!

 

 

 

Fiona Malena performing at NAE this Sunday

 

 

Another highlight is NAE's very own free newspaper, available to read on Sunday's. To see what's been happening in past weeks, take a look at these issues below!

 

The Exchange on Sunday, Issue 1

 

Click here to read more... http://bit.ly/157Ol3d

 

The Exchange on Sunday, Issue 2

Click here to read more... http://bit.ly/12p9L8f

 

 

 

 

Why the arts matter…

Last month, Issac from Rushcliffe Sixth Form joined NAE for a work experience placement. See his fantastic article about why the arts matter.

 

Why the arts matter…

The arts are important as they enlighten people on a variety of cultures, which living in an ever-growing diverse society is an increasingly valuable awareness to have as part of modern life. The arts educate people on different cultures, creating awareness of religions and beliefs, forming mutual respect and togetherness within communities. As well as this the arts allow peaceful methods of expression, whilst opening people’s awareness of domestic and foreign issues, of the past and present.

Not only do the arts create a cultural understanding in society they also help children learn and develop crucial skills. It has been proven that art helps children’s development as it stimulates their imagination and critical thinking. As well as giving them problem solving skills, the ability to make decisions, to complete and finish a task and an overall awareness of cultures. Most importantly the arts make learning for young children enjoyable, creating enthusiasm which will encourage the child to want to learn and explore more.

Through the use of events, exhibitions and workshops the arts educate, generate jobs, create awareness and expand people’s perspectives, whilst forming respectful open minded communities.

 

-Issac, Rushcliffe Sixth Form

Skinder Hundal, the Creative Case for Diversity

 

"The Creative Case can lead to an infinite range of new thinking, new product, new stories, new aesthetics about how art is presented in a contemporary way that will then transform how art and culture is seen as part of our life."
 

Click here to see New Art Exchange's CEO, Skinder Hundal, discussing NAE’s contribution to The Creative Case for Diversity- a re-imagining of the Arts Council’s approach to diversity and equality. 

 

 

 

 

 

Sundays at NAE!

 

Yesterday NAE launched the first of our Sunday openings happening throughout the summer period. I decided to join in with the fun and here's what I thought...

 

I started my day with smoked salmon and scrambled egg on toast from NAE's special brunch menu- delicious! There was also a range of newspapers were available to read, creating a perfect lazy Sunday morning vibe. In addition I read 'The Exchange on Sunday', a mini newspaper produced by NAE featuring real life stories, an interview with theatre practitioner Kyle Futers, and a recipe for Mutton with Tabouleh.

 

 

 

 

After breakfast there was a range of different activities happening. Outside the building visitors were decorating the pavement slabs with designs in chalk. I had a go at playing hopscotch, which was great fun as I had not done it since I was a kid at school and had actually forgotten the rules. There was also plasticine modelling, string and cup telephone making, and a postcard activity which I did. Following the instructions on the bright red 'magic' postbox at NAE, I wrote a postcard to myself in the future describing my day and asking a few questions about what my future holds.

 

 

 

There were lots of things happening throughout the day. Haaniah Khizer was in the café doing lavish henna art, and ABC dance school was showing visitors how to belly dance. In the afternoon I enjoyed a refreshing mint and elderflower favoured cup of tea and an Indian sweet. I had a fantastic day and there is something for everyone to enjoy. I will definitley join NAE for another jam-packed Sunday!

 

- Laura-Jade Klée