{"id":111,"date":"2016-03-18T06:45:48","date_gmt":"2016-03-18T06:45:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/?p=111"},"modified":"2022-01-11T22:08:55","modified_gmt":"2022-01-11T22:08:55","slug":"shopart-artshop-2-a-village-turned-into-an-open-air-art-gallery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/shopart-artshop-2-a-village-turned-into-an-open-air-art-gallery\/","title":{"rendered":"ShopArt ArtShop 2 : A Village Turned Into An Open Air Art Gallery"},"content":{"rendered":"

Labour of love : <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Noun<\/p>\n

\u201cWork done for the sake of one’s own enjoyment or of benefit to others rather than for material rewards\u201d<\/p>\n

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Glimpse of SA\/AS  1  (Pic by Frank Schlichtmann)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Imagine walking through a village on a hill in Himachal Pradesh where the many works of art are vying for your attention as soon as you walk into the village. Imagine finding yourself in a village where the local village folks are jamming with western musicians (Jajj, Yayy!)  with their humble flutes; the dolled up local women of all ages sashaying on the ramp in all their sartorial glory (their traditional dress) and jewelleries; the local village kids busy in making their own short movies, the works. Come May-June and the little known sleepy village of Gunehr will turn into an unprecedented art festival which the villagers lovingly call \u2018mela\u2019.<\/p>\n

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Villagers and travelers admiring arts and live performances from SA\/AS 1. Yes, its a ‘mela’ with a difference! (Pic : Frank Schlichtmann) <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But it was not always so hunky dory with the villagers. What Frank has done for the village (and the adversities he faced) somehow reminds me of the Hindi movie \u2018Swades\u2019. Frank convinced the shop owners to allow him to use their empty shops so that the artists can use the space to come up with original works of conceptual arts in their month long paid residency. Most of the shops in the village remain empty throughout the year and bite dust. There is no real economy in the village but the locals build these in the hope of a more vibrant economy in the future. After all, the obscure Gunehr sits next to the popular Mc Leodganj and Bir Billing! (Thankfully it is still free from all the touristy traps.)<\/p>\n

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Frank in one of his many moods in a mini art gallery in his home<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Over the time, the reluctant villagers warmed up to the idea, allowed the use of their shops and even enthusiastically participated in the arts festival. Initially they were skeptical and curious about the many artists inundating their village with arts. Gradually, the ice broke and now they even assist the artists in their creative process. The festival could have alienated the villagers or made them feel like an outsider in their own land. Worse still, it could have turned the village into a tourist circus. The triumph of the project is that none of this happened and hopefully will not.<\/p>\n

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Frank with art displays from SA\/AS 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the second edition of Shop Art, SA\/AS 2 (SA\/AS 1 happened in 2013), is just round the corner, the villagers are excited for it. Shop Art\/ Art Shop (SA\/AS) was born out of sheer love for the arts, the village and its people. It\u2019s commendable how Shop Art \/ Art Shop is helping the artists and the local economy in a sustainable and responsible manner. The extra ordinary story of how a person can change the perception of the locals single handedly, treat them as equals and involves them in art without spoiling their culture and heritage is inspiring.<\/p>\n

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Frank simplifying SA\/AS for us with all his admirable passion at his home office.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SA\/AS aims for the below mentioned agendas: <\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n