Reena Dewan
Conference Report. November 2023
The CIMAM Conference in Argentina unfolded as a meticulously crafted and thoughtfully curated event, marking my inaugural encounter with the rich tapestry of museums, artists, art initiatives, and foundations in Argentina. The profound initiatives and camaraderie exhibited among Directors of significant museums and artists, as well as within the museum director community itself, left an indelible impression on me. The conference kicked off with a provocative opening session, "How Can Museums Embrace their Social Responsibility? A Question from the Americas," setting the stage for contemplation. The speaker's exploration of diverse epistemologies and philosophies underscored the varying ways different communities perceive knowledge. This profound start laid the groundwork for engaging discussions throughout the event, igniting a collective introspection on the evolving role of museums in society.
Simon Njami's presentation injected a layer of challenge, questioning the relevance of iconic institutions like the Louvre in contemporary contexts. The audacious suggestion of shutting down museums that fail to align with present concerns resonated as a call for a reevaluation within the cultural landscape. It served as a catalyst for reflecting on the adaptability and responsiveness of cultural institutions to the evolving needs of society.
A pivotal moment occurred during the session “The Role of Museums in Education and Accessibility,” where Daina Leyton presented an innovative lens. Rather than regarding individuals with hearing impairments merely as viewers, her approach positioned them as co-creators, integral to the educational process. This fresh perspective emphasized inclusivity and collaboration, challenging traditional notions of audience engagement. It underscored the transformative power of considering diverse perspectives and actively involving marginalized communities in shaping the cultural narrative.
teresa cisneros brought attention to the often-overlooked heroes of museums: the workers shaping public narratives. Her poignant narrative highlighted the significance of these individuals and their pivotal role in molding public perceptions. Her personal journey, navigating spaces conducive to personal growth, resonated deeply, offering a valuable lesson in self-care within the demanding and dynamic museum ecosystem.
Luma Hamdan's insights were particularly resonant, given my own transition from institutional spaces to an arts initiative. I am the Founder Director of Bridging Culture and Arts Foundation, and as such her emphasis on co-creation struck a chord. Her discourse on community engagement, experimentation, learning, research, and exchange elucidated the co-creative museums' essence, solidifying its importance as a fundamental element in fostering dynamic and inclusive cultural spaces.
Beyond the conference sessions, the interactions with fellow attendees, artists, and visits to arts initiatives and museums enriched my experience immeasurably. Buenos Aires and Salta, especially, left an indelible mark. Exploring unconventional spaces adorned with art by Florencia Sadir and Javier Soria Vázquez provided a truly unique and unforgettable experience, deepening my appreciation for the diverse artistic expressions rooted in Argentine culture.
At present, my focus is on creating a space that serves as a home within the artists' community. In India, my home country, such arts initiatives are limited, and artists require intimate spaces to collaborate, experiment, and showcase their work. Alongside artists from diverse art streams, I am working on designing a space that is physically and intangibly conducive to being a home away from home. Attending the CIMAM Conference at this crossroads of my journey was the most enlightening and fulfilling experience, providing valuable insights and inspiration to shape this creative haven.
Special gratitude extends to Suhanya Raffel, CIMAM President, and Victoria Noorthoorn, Director of the Museo Moderno de Buenos Aires, true leaders who orchestrated the planning and execution seamlessly. From facilitating my visa process to ensuring a warm welcome in a new country, their leadership was instrumental in making this conference a transformative experience. Their commitment to fostering a global dialog within the arts community reflects the spirit of collaboration and inclusivity championed by the CIMAM Conference.
Bio
I am a female Punjabi Asian from Indian Subcontinent who was born and brought up in Delhi but is residing in West Bengal now.
My role at Kolkata Centre for Creativity (KCC), which is a contemporary art museum founded under a not-for-profit public trust, entails providing strategic leadership in planning, designing, developing and delivering programs while managing financial resources in line with the vision of the organization.
Through internal and external collaborations, I have built long-term partnerships between departments within the organization and with government organizations, embassies, consulates, institutions, performers and artists. Communicating a clear value proposition and brand positioning of the centre I contributed to creating spaces & materials to ensure accessibility of arts to diverse communities whether it is marginalised or Queer voices or Persons with disabilities.
Developing a new multidisciplinary festival, a high-value project, 'AMI Arts Festival' under KCC has given me scope to build important relationships externally to further our programming work and cultural relations. Laboratories that I initiated at KCC, facilitate the space to explore Creative ideas bringing together diverse cultures, art forms, and international and national collaborations. Fellowships for young practitioners here are based on the aspect of providing support and opportunities for Research in art practice. An annual conference on Climate change Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam brings together change-makers and leaders who are creating effective models to control climate change. Making arts accessible to people with diverse needs made me delve into the practice of building a collection of Tactile artworks and books on art in Braille. A space for artists who identify themselves as queer is held annually to exhibit their artworks and performances under our umbrella Learn Togetherness, a series of conversations are held on various
aspects of art with a queer lens. One such series was also held in collaboration with British Council. Crafts of India need to be seen as an important tool to contribute to the creative economy and I have constantly ensured to present traditional cultures and art of communities in the centre.
Founder & Board Chair, Bridging Culture & Arts Foundation, Kolkata
I founded B-CAF during the pandemic in response to the condition of artisans. The market for their products largely depend on the fairs which had stopped completely at that time. The realization that the amount they are earning, in any case, is not enough to keep these traditional practices going and that there is a need to build leadership and entrepreneurship amongst them along with innovation in design made me think of B-CAF.
The organization works with communities to Build Leadership and Entrepreneurship among them. This creates possibilities for decent work opportunities through traditional art practices. It also aims at innovation in design, promotes sustained and inclusive Economic growth in line with SDG Goal 8 and foster Social Inclusion (SDG 10).