today I watched a video Senthil Kumar posted a video on WADI facebook group called "Arjuna the Archer : AD 2008" - it was based on the techniques of Patta Chitra Katha

I wanted to find out more about this artform and technique, so I googled (without much luck, due to googling the wrong things) and asked the Sarai reader list and received lots of helpful information from many people. after reading about it, it reminds me a bit of the multi-media of a few hundred years ago. multiple paintings / panels on scrolls are read and music played whilst they're read, so there's a mixture of images, music, text, written / spoken word. the artists travel to different villages - equivalent to the communication methods / networks of today transmitting the multimedia messages & works. originally the works were made on cloth using vegetable based paints but these days modern paints are used and most works are done on paper. I hope the traditional methods are not lost completely! the style of painting comes from Orissa and West Bengal. modern artists use both traditional, classical topics as well as current topics & stories - they are trying out new variations of the art too, to keep the method alive and to learn new techniques & skills.

I wrote a blog post (ongoing) about Patta Chitra Katha @ http://www.aliak.com/content/patta-chitra-katha-traditional-folk-art-sto...

VloMo08 - day16

http://vimeo.com/2260235

VloMo08 : day16 - Patta Chitra Katha - traditional folk art of storytelling using visual language from kath on Vimeo.

Senthil Kumar posted a video on WADI facebook group called "Arjuna the Archer : AD 2008"

he's also posted it to youtube :
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=h-UPtfEkl_o

there's now a facebook page for Patta Chitra Katha

I wanted to find out more about this artform and technique, so I googled (without much luck, due to googling the wrong things) and asked the Sarai Reader list and received lots of helpful information from many people. after reading about it, it reminds me a bit of an equivalent to multi-media, or even video blogging from a few hundred years ago. multiple paintings / panels on scrolls (equating to video frames?) are read and music played whilst they're read, so there's a mixture of images, music, text, written / spoken word. the artists travel to different villages - equivalent to the communication methods / networks of today transmitting the multimedia messages & works. originally the works were made on cloth using vegetable based paints but these days modern paints are used and most works are done on paper. I hope the traditional methods are not lost completely! the style of painting comes from Orissa, West Bengal & Bangladesh. modern artists use both traditional, classical topics as well as current topics & stories - they are trying out new variations of the art too, to keep the method alive and to learn new techniques & skills.

I made a video for VloMo08 day16 explaining how I found out information about Patta Chitra Katha :

VloMo08 : day16 - Patta Chitra Katha - traditional folk art of storytelling using visual language from kath on Vimeo.

read more for information about this special artform ...

280920082113, originally uploaded by AliaK

this is Sydney / Newtown artist SYKE - her myspace is www.myspace.com/syke23

SYKE started an outdoor art area in newtown (sydney) where she and other artists paint and then people can donate what they can for the art works. I think they'd suit the as often the works are on sections of cardboard boxes. the article mentions sometimes kids save up their pocket money to buy some... nice way to start kids appreciating art & craft / creating things instead of buying mass produced wares

280920082112, originally uploaded by AliaK

this is a print from Peter Strong - one of the Ohms Not Bombs crew

"These canvas's are mixed media works by Peter Strong.

from The World Tree exhibition page on undergowth.org :

Protestors gather under the tree of life as bulldozers approach. Televisions vomit endless waterfalls of information. A disembodied totem of animal, vegetable and mineral world stares at you in profile. The city speaks in confusing angles where we lose perspective. The world tree is burning while man meditates under its shade.

"The World Tree" is an exhibition of new paintings by Melbourne artist Tim Parish, co-founder and art director of Undergrowth.org at Open Studio

The opening night will include music from Kafka and performance artist Si on Sunday the 15th of June at 7pm.

Details:

Opening Night:

7pm Sunday the 15th of June
with music by KAFKA
and spoken word performances by Si and Verbatim

Exhibition Dates:

15th - 29th June 2008

Address:

OPEN STUDIO (review)
204 High St, Northcote
(86 Tram Line opposite Northcote Town Hall)

visit http://undergrowth.org/theworldtree & http://undergrowth.org/user/verb for more details or to see samples of Tim Parish's work

or add the exhibition's event to your facebook event list : http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=14691799635

Super Massive headlines the launch of The Mess - a new art-meets-art night for Sydney - this Thursday 16th August at Candy's Apartment.

The Mess
Thursday 16th August
Candy's Apartment
22 Bayswater Rd, Kings Cross, Sydney

Super Massive (Headline)
Great Apes
Stopwatch
Champagne Shoes

Doors open 8pm. $10-

THE MESS..

On Thursday 16th August Candy's Apartment hosts the launch of THE MESS, a monthly event to be held at Candy’s Apartment in Kings Cross in celebration of great local music, art, fashion & culture.

Paintings by Katie McErlean

Next time you walk into a Sydney café, not only may you see Katie McErlean's
paintings adorning the walls, but you may notice stylish ladies with her
handbags over their shoulders showcasing her label - Kisses and Curves.

Artist Katie McErlean has encapsulated the essence of Queensland in her
lively artwork and sassy handbags.

Born and raised in Brisbane, Katie attributes her feel for colour to the
Queensland lifestyle and the glorious sunshine of the state's long and hot
summers.

Trained as a graphic designer in Brisbane, Katie first had an opportunity to
display her artistic talents while at Brisbane's Courier-Mail, contributing
various illustrations for features and supplements.

Using this experience as a springboard, Katie launched into several solo
exhibitions including Kaleidoscope and Sparkling Serendipity and two
exhibitions hosted by the Marriott Hotel in Brisbane.