In recent years there has been a surge of activity , both global and national, acknowledging environmental engagement with the arts. While artists have always been drawn to the represtation and somtimes  sentimental depiction of nature and human conflict with the earth, a stream of connected factors have currently contributed to a kind of consciousness that results not necessarily in objects of art but more as attempts towards social and behavioral change through the agency of art.''feel the need to participate in ecological healing and use various tools to communicate collective concerns.

 

Terms like Artivism have entered into common discussion, describing the unique combination of art and social or enviornmental activism.

 

 

Kathryn Myers shared her vision, I became intersted in exploring the topic of environmental consciousness in contemporary Indian Art after becoming aware of a surge of intersest among artists when I started my Regarding India interview series in 2011.The idea of the environment in our seminar included intertwinted topics of the natural and built enviornment, the latter which included topics of heritge and tourism was inspired by the seminar site at Dakshinachitra which this year celebrate s its 20th anniversry of heritage education,preservation and community programs. It focused on the way history, conservation and heritage can be linked with development and form potential resources and assets for promoting non formal education and tourism. Art can no longer remain with a cocoon , it must occupy public spaces , artists must be ready to get ready, have views and lock horns with reality.

 

- LEENA VINCENT SUNISH