EXHIBITION

Sustain: The Craft Idiom

2nd G20 CWG Meeting, Bhubaneswar (May 14 – 17, 2023)

The exhibition ‘Sustain: The Craft Idiom’, was based on the second priority of the CWG, i.e., ‘Harnessing Living Heritage for a Sustainable Future’ and was presented at the 2nd CWG meeting in Bhubaneswar from 14-17 May 2023. The exhibition presented varied expressions of India’s age-old living heritage and indigenous knowledge systems that have sustained individuals, communities, and societies in shaping their beliefs, values, and traditions since time immemorial.

‘Sustain: The Craft Idiom’ was composed of three constituent experiences - Akshara, Stambh and demonstrations by master artisans and teachers - which encapsulate these manifold aspects. The exhibition showcased more than 35 crafts and various languages and scripts of India through objects, contemporary interpretations and live teaching demonstrations.

The first section of the exhibition ‘Akshara - Crafting Indian Scripts,’ highlighted diverse languages and craft practices of India, reflecting unique worldviews and traditions. Through a new design vocabulary, Akshara showcases the visual beauty of India’s scripts, expressed through alphabets, verses, phrases, poems and colloquial sayings. ‘Stambh: Craft, Collaboration and Continuity’, explores indigenous crafts practices and their and contemporary expressions. This section showcased functional objects designed with elements of traditional crafts, through collaborations with artisans, adapted for urban audiences. The exhibition also had master classes, demonstrations and DIY activities with renowned crafts practitioners.

These various components were tied together to give a common message of sustainability through the preservation, protection, and promotion of living heritage practices. The vision for the exhibition was to create awareness amongst visitors, professionals and policy makers about the many living heritage practices that prioritize mindful and optimal utilization of natural resources and harmonious coexistence between humankind and nature.

The exhibition was inaugurated on 15May 2023 by Shri G. Kishan Reddy, the Union Minister for Culture, Tourism, and DoNER, along with Shri Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of Odisha. Additionally, Shri Nityanand Rai, the Minister for State for Home Affairs, graced the event with his presence. The project was supported by Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC).

Sustain was visited by delegates from the G20 member nations, invitee countries, and international organizations, and was open to the public from 16to 22 May 2023 at Kala Bhoomi – Odisha Crafts Museum. The concept of the exhibition was by Smt Jaya Jaitly (Dastakari Haat Samiti), Smt Lavina Baldota (Abheraj Baldota Foundation), Smt Suparna Bhalla (Abaxial) and Shri Ashiesh Shah(Atelier Ashiesh Shah). The exhibition was accompanied by a catalogue.

(Video created by Ricken Desai Photography)

360 virtual tour:

https://kuula.co/share/collection/7JXLn?logo=0&info=1&fs=1&vr=1&sd=1&thumbs=1

(Virtual tour created by Ricken Desai Photography)

Catalogue: Sustain: The Craft Idiom

Media links:  

https://planet.outlookindia.com/news/g-kishan-reddy-and-naveen-patnaik-to-inaugurate-an-exhibition-titled-sustain-the-craft-idiom--news-415266

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/2nd-g20-culture-meet-to-focus-on-sustainability-through-crafts-8607993/

https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/art/ashiesh-shah-stambh-kala-bhoomi-crafts-museum-g20-meet-lavina-baldota/article66937303.ece

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/focus-on-harnessing-heritage-for-future-at-city-exhibition/articleshow/100264813.cms 

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1924088

https://ifacca.org/news/2023/05/14/2nd-g20-culture-meet-focus-sustainability-through/

https://odishabytes.com/2nd-g20-ceg-meet-naveen-inaugurates-cultural-exhibition-sustain-in-bhubaneswar/

https://www.vogue.in/content/at-indias-g20-meet-in-bhubaneswar-designer-ashiesh-shah-unveiled-21-celestial-pillars

https://interviewtimes.net/cm-inaugurates-sustain-exhibition-at-kala-bhoomi-odisha-crafts-museum/

https://www.millenniumpost.in/big-stories/second-g20-culture-working-group-meet-to-kick-off-in-bhubaneswar-518458

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/second-g20-culture-working-group-meet-to-kick-off-in-bhubaneswar/article66848011.ece

https://www.stirworld.com/inspire-visits-ashiesh-shah-s-stambh-stacks-a-continuum-in-craft-community-and-collaboration

https://www.indianewsnetwork.com/20230514/culture-unites-all-2nd-g30-culture-working-group-meeting-begins-in-bhubaneswar

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/g20-member-nations-discuss-promotion-of-culture-through-tech/articleshow/100288689.cms

https://amfnews.com/cm-of-odisha-shri-naveen-patnaik-inaugurates-indias-living-heritage-exhibition/

https://pragativadi.com/2nd-g20-cwg-meeting-delegates-experience-culture-unites-all-sand-art-exhibit-by-sudarsan-pattnaik-at-puri/

https://inpr.odisha.gov.in/e-samachaar/e-samachaar-picture?page=22

https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/stambh-an-exhibition-of-21-totems-by-ashiesh-shah-takes-place-in-bhubaneswar/

https://ddnews.gov.in/national/2nd-g20-culture-working-group-meet-focus-culture-sustainable-development

https://www.designpataki.com/an-insight-into-stambh-an-exquisite-exhibition-of-21-divine-pillars-by-ashiesh-shah/

https://abirpothi.com/how-sustainable-is-indian-craft/

https://www.indianarrative.com/india-news/bhubaneshwar-to-host-g20-culture-working-group-meeting-next-week-142802.html

https://www.grazia.co.in/lifestyle/culture/ashiesh-shahs-stambh-is-driven-to-bring-craft-into-our-living-rooms-11052.html

https://odishabytes.com/2nd-g20-culture-group-meet-to-begin-in-bhubaneswar-tomorrow/

https://orissadiary.com/delegates-arrive-for-the-2nd-g20-culture-group-cwg-meeting-in-odisha-and-experience-the-culture-unites-all-sand-art-exhibit-at-puri/

https://thevoiceofchandigarh.com/deliberations-of-g20-second-culture-group-cwg-meeting-begin-in-bhubaneswar/

https://www.harpersbazaar.in/culture/story/how-a-celebrity-architect-and-interior-designer-marries-form-function-and-art-in-his-creations-565503-2023-05-22

https://www.beautifulhomes.com/magazine/lifestyle/features/ashiesh-shahs-craft-retrospective-for-g20.html

https://www.odishanewstimes.com/2023/05/13/2nd-g20-culture-group-cwg-meet-to-start-tomorrow-in-bhubaneswar/

https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/meeting-offers-opportunity-to-discuss-pressing-issues-g-kishan-reddy-ahead-of-culture-group-meet-in-bhubaneshwar20230514183907/

https://www.news9live.com/india/second-g20-culture-group-meet-to-start-on-monday-in-bhubaneswar-2138947