The Historian’s Question: Where exactly is the ‘British’ Museum?

In an era of global connectivity and cultural awakening, the question of who truly owns our shared heritage has never been more pertinent. From the hallowed halls of the British Museum to the digital archives of the innovative Museum of Looted Antiquities, a revolution in cultural repatriation is quietly unfolding. This essay takes readers on a journey from a thought-provoking conversation with renowned Indian historian K.N. Panikkar to the cutting-edge efforts of online platforms documenting the return of stolen artifacts. As we explore the complex web of acquisition, smuggling, and repatriation, we uncover not just the stories of priceless objects, but also the evolving narrative of how we perceive and preserve our global cultural legacy. In a world where the lines between preservation and appropriation blur, this exploration challenges us to reconsider the role of museums and the true meaning of cultural stewardship in the 21st century.

PCCR’s Fourth Batch of Online Certificate Course on Arts Appreciation Kicks Off September 15

The Pragjyotish Centre for Cultural Research (PCCR), a distinguished institution known for its commitment to the study and promotion of cultural heritage and artistic traditions, has announced the launch of its fourth batch of the Online Short-Term Certificate Course on 'Arts Appreciation'.

New Fellowships Announced to Boost South Asian Textile Research and Education

The MAP Academy and Nalli Silks have announced new Fellowships to support projects focused on South Asian textile traditions. With grants of up to INR 5,50,000, these Fellowships aim to explore textile production, design, and cultural significance in the region. Applications are open for 2024–25, inviting proposals that will enhance research and education in South Asia's rich textile heritage.

AI Debate Takes a Full Circle

Artificial Intelligence continues to stir debates in art and technology. Recently, Bolivian photographer Miles Astray won a competition for AI-generated images with a photo he shot, fooling the judges with its surreal quality. This incident underscores the ongoing discussions about the ethical and philosophical implications of AI in creative fields, highlighting both its potential and its challenges. The debate around AI and human creativity has indeed come full circle, questioning the boundaries between machine and human artistry.

Snapshots from a forgotten land

Photojournalist Kanika Gupta takes a more personal approach on her page. The Indian journalist, who had to be evacuated from Afghanistan when the Taliban first took over, has since returned, and has resumed her efforts of documenting the country. On her Instagram handle, lifeoutside2by2, she fearlessly interviews and photographs Taliban soldiers, bringing out both the cruelty and humanity in their stories. A snapshot of a man who has been taught to believe that “making landmines is holier than fighting" is juxtaposed with one of two friends - one of whom used to be in the National Army and the other, a hardened Taliban, who joined when an American drone strike killed seven of his family members on a single day. Today, the two friends, who have both joined the regime, reminisce about having fought on different sides.

The making of a nation, through Sunil Janah’s eyes

After Sunil Janah moved to the US in his later days, these prints were mostly forgotten. Rahman says it is by another coincidence that they landed in India as a collector managed to buy some of them. “The timing of the exhibition coincides with the 75th anniversary of Independence. At a time when the BJP is trying to demolish Nehru’s legacy and spreading the narrative of ‘Make In India’, Janah’s works assume significance as the ‘Make In India’ started in the 1950s. That is why it is so important that people see these pictures. We should not forget this history and the BJP is trying to make us forget it.” Apart from their historical significance, these are stunning images, says Rahman. “That was a time of great hope. Now, we have a different view about industries. We perceive industries as polluting, but at that time we needed all these factories because we needed indigenous manufacturing. Also, they provided jobs to lakhs of people, particularly in backward areas. There was a great positive energy which actually can be felt in Janah’s photographs.”

THAT WHICH IS UNSEEN Acclaimed photo-journalist Prashant Panjiar’s Photo-book and Exhibition

Acclaimed photojournalist Prashant Panjiar's latest photobook 'That Which Is Unseen' was launched on September 18. Published by Ahmedabad-based Navajivan Trust, this book is a collection of photographs and backstories from Panjiar's almost four decades of photography career. Navajivan Trust, founded by Mahatma Gandhi, is a publishing house with a good reputation and has published more than 800 titles in English, Hindi, Gujarati and other languages.

Looking or shooting? A pe(e)p toy by Ray-ban and Facebook to click as you see

Ray-ban Stories sunglasses are built in partnership with Facebook and Ray-Ban’s parent company EssilorLuxottica and are the first product to be produced as a result of a multi-year partnership between the two companies. Ray-Ban Stories will be available in 20 different combinations in classic Ray-Ban styles — Wayfarer, Wayfarer Large, Round, and Meteor — and five colors with a range of lenses including clear, sun, transition, and prescription. Ray-Ban Stories features dual integrated 5-megapixel cameras that are designed to let the wearer capture everyday moments as they happen from a first-person perspective. The dual 5MP camera gives new depth and dimension to the content. It takes high-resolution photos (2592×1944 pixels) and quality video (1184×1184 pixels at 30 frames per second). Camera automatically adjusts to the light around for high-quality captures. One can also attend to calls, listen to music via blue tooth while on the go.

A pause amid the rush | Digital Online Show of Project 365 Tiruvannamalai

The premiere show of Project 365 Tiruvannamalai was shown at the famous Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata, in 2019. Now, a small selection from this whopping collection has now travelled across the continent and is being exhibited at the Magnet Galleries, Melbourne, Australia. Titled, Elements and Fragments, the show was opened to publich on 15th July 2021, however, due to the pandemic third wave lockdown measures, the gallery had to remain shut. In a remarkable effort, the Magnet Galleries have transformed the show into a fully digital 360° format. On World Photography Day, the digital show was unveiled to the public.

Underwater Photography: No Under Estimating It | Susannah Snowden-Smith

On a bright Sunday morning, PhotoMail caught up with the chief documentary photographer on the Godavaya excavation, Susannah Snowden-Smith. What followed was an interesting revelation of the nuances of underwater photography. Living her dream of underwater photography, which she had started thinking about when she was 11 years old, Susannah reached out to a renowned archeologist as early as in her tenth grade. And in a matter of few years, she was on her first 120 feet underwater excavation assignment close to Sedana island Sadana Island in Red Sea, documenting an eighteenth-century ship wreck.

IFA Call for Proposal: Arts Research 2021 – 2022

IFA invites proposals for our Arts Research programme from researchers and practitioners who are interested in undertaking research projects, implemented by IFA. These projects could investigate marginalised or relatively unexplored areas; intend to create spaces for dialogue between theory and practice; offer new readings of artistic practices; and use interdisciplinary approaches to break new conceptual ground, among other things. The programme is open to proposals from individual scholars, researchers, and practitioners, across disciplines. You are eligible to apply if you are an Indian national. 

Millions of Images from Tokyo to your screens in 3 minutes: Olympics 2020

Amidst all odds and several controversies, Olympics 2020 is going on, without many audiences to cheer and veer the players. The only solace is that millions from across the world are watching it live. The number of online viewers has become more than doubled, with many countries still in lockdown, with the threat of pandemic third-wave closing in fast.

Photographing the Irulas: Young photographer Subeesh Yuva

Subeesh Yuva is an upcoming photographer based in Kozhikode. He enjoys traveling and is a passionate portrait and street photographer. Earlier, he had worked as a designer and an editor. His recent exhibition, CAMERA KOKEL SEARING FLAMES, was showcased at the Lalitha Kala Academy, Calicut, between 24th and 31st March 2020. The show featured his photographs of the Irula community in Attapady. Here is an exclusive interview with Subeesh.

A dream camera for Self-Filming Vloggers: Sony’s ZV-E10

A year after introducing its first camera for vloggers (the fixed-lens ZV-1), Sony has announced the ZV-E10, an interchangeable lens APS-C camera. With a larger sensor and the ability to swap lenses, Sony believes this camera steps up what the ZV-1 started. The Sony ZV-E10 will be available in either black or white and be priced at around Rs. 52000/- for the body only. There is a kit option available that comes with the Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS lens that will cost app. Rs. 59000/-. However, vloggers in India have to wait, for there is still no news about the International availability of this new camera.

In a first, the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi has opened its exhibition grant to photographers. One recipient Devarajan Devan’s Poojyam opens today at Kozhikode

One of the first Lalithakala Akademi exhibition grant recipients is young photographer Devarajan Devan. He says he became a photographer by chance, some five years ago. But once he has gotten into it, there is no looking back. He is basically a commercial event photographer with an interest in street photography, a well-trodden path introduced by the likes of Henri-Cartier Bresson. The show from the grant, Poojyam (Zero) is opening today, 8th February at Lalithakala Akademi Kozhikode. This would be Devarajan’s first photography exhibition. Here is an exclusive interview with Devarajan Devan, taken by Rahul Menon. 

I AM NOT MADE IN JAPAN, Nikon to Reportedly Stop Making Cameras in Japan

Japanese camera maker Nikon has been struggling with a diminishing demand for its cameras. So bad the situation of the camera giant that it is now being reported that the company may pull the plug on making cameras in Japan, something the company has been doing for more than 70 years. The report of Nikon shutting down manufacturing in Japan comes from a local newspaper called Asahi.

$12 in 1948, $1000000 in 2020, Ansel Adam’s print sold by Sotheby for record price

Sotheby has made record sales of Ansel Adams prints giving a rather ceremonious end to the challenging year. ‘A Grand Vision: The David H. Arrington Collection of Ansel Adams Masterworks’ comprised of 123 prints by Ansel Adams, and the complete set was put up for auction this December 14. Interestingly, 94% of the collection were successfully sold to buyers both in person at Sotheby’s New York and online. A mural-sized print, ‘The Grand Tetons and the Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming’, sold for a record-high for an Ansel Adams print, closing at $988,000 USD.

Pandemic Paradox, Indian Art 2020

The world of art and culture is one of the hardest-hit sectors. The already limited support structure for artists and art/cultural organisations in India has dwindled further, pushing many to oblivion. The coronavirus outbreak and subsequent nationwide lockdown did affect almost all art practitioners, but then, the scale of impact was different for different sectors. Performance artists and photographers received the first line of bullets, with curtains down on live performances and mobility curtailed for photography assignments. Even within this, there were increased vulnerabilities because of one’s age (young, mid-career, and senior), location (rural or urban), networking possibilities, social and family support lines etc.

Four Indian Photographers recognized by World Press Photo

World Press Photo announced the results of the second cycle, 6 new talents from Asia that includes four Indians, Debsuddha Banerjee; Deepti Asthana; Santanu Dey, and Sutirtha Chatterjee. The other two recognition goes to Mengwen Cao, China, and Parisa Azadi. In 2018, Senthil Kumaran, an independent visual storyteller from South India, and New Delhi based Saumya Khandelwal, who is now a part of the nomination team were recognized as 6×6 young talents.

Biennale Effect: Bose Krishnamachari features in the Power 100 list, 6th time in a row

“It is a reflection of the effort, sacrifice, and creativity of the entire Biennale community, including my colleagues at the Foundation, the artists and curators at the various editions, as well as our supporters, it’s ‘Our Biennale Effect," Bose Krishnamachiri responds to ranking in the Power 100 list, 6th time in a row.

A rendezvous of past and future: India’s first digital museum set for launch

The Museum of Art and Photography (MAP) is being launched, virtually, before it's physical launch next year. While usually the physical space precedes the virtual space, the MAP is reversing that concept, by first launching itself as a digital museum. To mark this India's first digital museum launch on December 5, the MAP is organising a week-long virtual programme titled 'Art (is) Life', besides inaugurating it's 'Museums without Borders' initiative.

Monochromic Dream – Leica Q2

While the world is continuing to face a standstill, photographers are given a new dream, Leica Q2 Monochrome. Launched on 11th November 2020, this new camera has come with a promise to make traditional monochrome sheek one-click for professionals and amateurs alike.

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