Saturday 26 September 2015

South India: November Brief

As I am travelling to India for 2 weeks at the beginning of November I thought it would be a great place to do some reportage illustration. I also want to continue my COP research into animal symbolism as animal imagery is a huge influence in the religions, art and daily life there. I also want to look at the lifestyle of Yoga, as I am staying in the 'home of yoga', as a healing therapy and a part of daily life. I want to investigate balance, the movement of the body and also the animal symbolism in this such as the position 'downward dog'.

I will be taking a range of sketchbook sizes so that I have a large one to capture details/landscapes etc on, when I have a bit of time to really work on them. But I also want to take a small pocket size one so that I can do sketching from life from particular moments/objects that stand out to me whilst occupied with something else. E.g. on the bus etc.

Brief 1: Reportage Illustration
Task: Report on what I see and find here. Use my sketchbook to interpret ideas and cultural activities that shock me or that comfort me. Whats different about their culture, whats the same? What surprises me and what is stereotypical e.g. mobile phones etc vs beautiful landscape. In my sketchbooks I will be experimenting with close ups, and full landscapes reporting on the area, also rubbings/media use as scrap book of my visit - get scraps of material/leaves etc if possible to add depth and a tactile aspect to my sketchbook pages.
Outcome: At least one sketchbook. Once back in England can pick my favourite pages and print them in a zine or recreate them in a small book of my time in India.

Brief 2: Animal Symbolism
Task: Research into, and use your sketchbook, the role of animals in this culture and how they impact on daily life and are thought of on a grander scale - prayed to etc/ sacrifice.
Outcome: Written research about the role of animal symbolism in the area/culture. Sketchbook pages looking into the element of animals in their culture - physically e.g. working alongside them, wild life and for meat etc, and then spiritually - gods, statues and imaginary scenes with the animal watching over them etc... be imaginative to reflect the spiritual side!

Brief 3: Home of Yoga
Task: How does yoga use animal imagery and why/what do they use this to symbolise. Yoga as a part of daily life and its impact on the culture.
Outcome: Sketchbook focused around yoga and its benefits and role in daily life in the area and culture. Life drawings to show the balance, movement of the body and flow of energy. - Fire/water/air/earth elements etc.

Research:
http://wikitravel.org/en/Thiruvananthapuram
http://www.southindianarts.in/

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