Strokes and Shades, The DSAM, Founder's Issue 2012

The Doon School Art Magazine 2012 Issue No. 7

EDITORIAL

The Chief-Ed, a versatile artist himself, has portrayed his talent in different spheres of art.

He showcased his photographs and painting skills last year by setting up an exhibition.

Shreshtha has keen interest in international affairs and administrations. Adding to the haberdashery, Shreshtha is also an avid guitarist, a drummer, and a dancer. He is also athletic and enjoys boxing, swimming, and playing hockey and basketball.

To me the world seems abstract. I wake up in the morning, not to intrude into my dreams but to prolong them. And the better part of it is, I love being in this state of trance. People feel that I never come face to face with reality, but they tend to forget that “abstraction” is nothing but your own way of depicting your perception of reality. No one has been able to define what art is. Art is a means of expressing something which cannot be expressed in words and confining art into words is just injustice to it. Art is subjective and that is the beauty of it.

It is beyond reality, where thoughts begin.

For me, art has always been a way of disconnecting myself from what people call “the reality” and connecting to the illusory world. Art gives me solace, a solace which one gets in pursuing one's passion. I discovered my passion during my teenage years and nothing, for me, was more exhilarating than releasing myself not just to paintings but also to the other art forms that I tried. I would call myself an 'incidental abstractist' as I have never decided what my art work would be like. It is a drive of pure mood and zeal. There is no plan to be followed or no layout to look at; just your state of mind being depicted through a medium.

People always ask me, when can you say your creation is complete? Well, I never say that I have completed an artwork because there is no limit to perfection; but I say it is complete when you feel satisfied with your struggle and its result.

The Doon School Art Magazine is one of the only two purely art oriented magazines in India. The best part is that we are students, and not professionals, who have made this magazine real. I would like to appreciate the sincere efforts of my board and also like to thank the people who helped us in making this possible. Our magazine is moving in all directions and has tried to capture the intricacies of the world of imagery and abstraction that we belong to and that belongs to all of us.

With this we have evolved the magazine accordingly, a new issue, a new story.

It is my honour to present to you, 'Strokes and Shades', The Doon School Art Magazine 2012. Hope reading it gives you a solace.

Shreshtha Verma

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SENIOR MEMBERS

Aviral, in his final year of school, has been one of the oldest members on Board. If one person has to be credited for the new, rejuvenated look of this issue of DSAM, it is him.

Although he is a S c i e n c e st u d e nt , Aviral is looking forward to pursuing Psychology and Philosphy in college. A keen photographer, Aviral is a School Prefect and the School Social Editor Service Secretary. He also enjoys singing as Aviral Gupta a hobby.

Jaskrit, in his final year of school, is the seniormost members on the Board. Jaskrit has been actively contributing to the magazine for three years and took charge of the production this year. Jaskrit is pursuing the IB diploma. Jaskrit is looking forward to pursuing Art History as a minor in college to stimulate his interests in Art. He is also a part of the School Quiz team and Chief-of-Production Jaskrit Singh also writes for the Econocrat.

Satvik, in his final year of school, has taken up the commerce stream in the ISC board.

Contrary to his subjects, he has a great interest in history. In this issue, Satvik reflects on his interest in the subject through his article that relates art to history. Satvik is artistic in his own way which is showcased by his designing skills. Also a strong fellow, He is a member of the School Athletics team and he is also the House Associate Editor Athletics Captain.

Abhishek, in his final year of school, has actively contributed to this issue of DSAM. Apart from being a senior member on board, he is a School Prefect. He is pursuing the IB Diploma. His interests in politics, economics and global affairs is reflected by his active participation in regional and international Model United Nations.

Abhishek is also a part of the School Basketball team, and has even written for the Weekly and the Associate Editor Circle.

Satvik Narain

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Abhishek Bansal

CONTEMPORARY

Emerging Indian Art -Mr Aloke Tirtha Bhowmick

Does the Sienne flow like Ganga, or the Thames meanders like Jamuna? Similarly art is a flow and expression of the collective memory which forms an element of culture.

As S. H. Raza very promptly declared, “If you cut my veins today, you'll see that Narmada still flows in my veins�. Contemporary Indian Art ventures our root and thus the collective memory in subject and in stylization.

In Europe and America, 'ism's in art came with religiocultural, industrial and economic development.

Indian art scenario never went through any distinct ism-s, but always attempted to portray the beliefs and socio-economic developments and movements

that are born of this soil. What are those factors that contributed to the subjects and stylizations in contemporary Indian art? Self-sufficient village community, the folk and the patronage of kings, religion and spirituality, foreign invasions, three hundred years of slavery under the British, partition, the drift of European Modernism and its hangover, the development of Indian economy, urbanization, literary movements and above all the philosophical discourse of India . Now, what are the elements that this collective memory has propounded in the field of painting, sculpture and printmaking? Narrative imagery, symbols, design elements, icons, blank space, abstraction and more recently 'kitsch'.

Now, we need to ponder on what aspects is contemporary Indian art fetching such high prices at the European & American auctions? The foremost reason is the indigenous spectrum. As long as art is rooted in the collective memory, price will follow like 'der aaye durust aaye'. 'Gajagamini', 'Mahishashurmardini' 'Saurashtra' all confirm that.

Search is still on, so are the deviations. The soul of the indigenous existence and development is getting revealed through minimal strokes and metaphorical narratives. Design is no more a design but shorthand of visual belief. Expressions are more subtle with a tinge of daily-life agony and ecstasy.

The expressions in my paintings revolve around the multiplicity of the post modern mind that oscillates from the folklore to the ultra-urban existence. The conflicts and the confusions that cluster around the present Indian mind, strive to exist in a global village; all find space in my canvases.

It is very difficult to say whether we are delineating in modernism or post modernism but the expressions acclaimed by the world are perhaps devoid of these terminological jargons. Art finds its way like the river that traverses through the soil and a collective belief patrons the mind that creates something profound that really is not 'Time's Fool'.

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REFLECTIONS

Reminiscing Chandbagh -Mr Richard Weinstein (A Visiting Artist) Progression versus Dilapidation, clashing… creating symphonic alleyways of sparkling colors writhing, weaving, tangling, wrestling the muted, faded, overused, worn and beaten flowing above, streaking, intertwining, webbing… clothes and power lines overhead, threading… aromatic, bright marigolds between sweet jalebis, gulab jamuns, and samosas frying, seductively sweet, silky chai beckoning… mouth watering, eyes tearing… smog and dust mixing, awful… choking diesel fumes, gagging… clouds thicken and part revealing weathered-wood and sun-beaten stone, their endless maze of cracks forming puzzles, jigsawed… faces… leather-skinned, crusted, hardened muscles with bony joints and knotted-knuckles, they're young, old, male, female, limbed and limbless… A crazy, mesmerizing, poetically spectacular, constantly chaotic Country, predictably unpredictable… A haven of mayhem, extremities, never-ending surprises, repeatedly birthing itself from nowhere… inventing, reinventing, born, reborn, it's captivating, breathtaking, it's magic... where every journey started never follows its plan, adventure in abundance...

Another world... far away... a portal of towering bamboo and eucalyptus trees... Within... The Doon School, an oasis...

Gleaming from pride, dignity, and honour… selfdiscipline, determination, desires to succeed, be better than the best…

I entered and was awestruck. The original plan was simple: Visit Doon courtesy of Alok Goyal (Dosco '76), who chanced upon me in a

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Portraiture exhibition while in New York, and his brother Ashutosh (Dosco '87). I was invited to sketch watercolours of the school, become a visiting teacher in the art department, and paint a few portraits….. An experiment for us with goals of benefitting the students while also creating pieces to be auctioned and raise funds benefitting former teachers in a harsher, fleeting world…..

I started late-January with nobody around, nothing going on… Silence…a nonexistent world except for me, my materials, deliciously bad chilly-paneer sandwiches for picnicking, fresh spring blooms, engulfing foliage, and… Sun...! who could ask for more? I soon met instructors, headmasters, and administrationall warm-welcoming… Then…. Aloke Bohwmick…! “Dada”!!! The spirited, genius Bengali leading an amazingly creative team of artists supported by enthusiastic staff ready to help in every way possible … a miniature “Artist's Colony,” with background music, food, chai aplenty, and limitless possibilities….!

Students then returned seeing this “out-of-towner” suddenly in their midst-- lugging materials around the fields, painting outside their houses, a scruffy bald guy also joining them at meal times…. Those venturing into the Art School faced challenges to look until they could look no more, and then look further….. And we accomplished some amazing things, all while laughing, talking, joking, teasing… cooking, singing, cheering…

Exchanging, exploring, questioning all the time… learning,

DESCRIPTIVE painting, and most importantly, growing.

I became a better person because of my Doon School experience, eternally grateful and indebted to too many people to list but of particular note: Mr. and Mrs. Mclaughlin, Deputy HM's Mr. Burrett and Mr. Rashid, Mr. and Mrs. Bohwmick and their Art Department, Mrs. Burrett for her fantastic social

programs, Shreshtha for giving me the opportunity to express myself, which I refrained for doing during the assembly and especially the Goyal brothers for this fantastic opportunity. Upon reflection of all our incredible first month together I see many more amazing projects for us to work on, so much to do…...

We've only just begun!

Music, Moods and Art -Anirudh Popli Music defines us and defines our moods. You can usually guess what kind of music teens like by the way they dress or the group they hang out with. Heavy Metal, Punk Rock, Disco all evoke some imagery.

Many a time we like some songs on certain days and not on others. Music clearly has the ability to change our mood or keep it in the same state.

One should never underestimate the power of music.

Especially, because of the influence it has over us.

Heavy metal gets us aggressive and charged up and classical music calms us. Music from our childhood makes us nostalgic and dance music gets our feet tapping.

Art, on the other hand is nothing if not an expression of the mood of the artist and his state of mind. For example, Picasso's blue period, when he used the colour Blue to showcase misery and despair. Most of the paintings he made were of beggars, and the unemployed. It is said Picasso himself was out of work. It is difficult to imagine that Picasso would have been listening to uplifting music at the time.

For most artists' music is very close to their art.

People's ideas come while listening to music. Beats and melody set the mood of the images, and the lyrics and speed influence the movements when designing. Music also motivates and entertains you when you are tired or bored painting.

Every artist has his or her own not so good days.

There are days when one just doesn't want to hold a

paint brush, because one is worried that the state of mind will show in the work. In times like this there is something you can do to change how you are feeling.

You can turn on and play your favourite track.

Music gives you the relaxation you would need while working on a piece. The type of music you chose to listen to should depend on your state of mind. Music sets the mood of your work; it inspires the colours and the overall look of your work.

So if you are looking to be a great painter, don't just collect your paints, brushes and palette, reach out to your favourite music collection, let the music flow and create the next masterpiece. Music is after all just another “tool” of creativity!

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DESCRIPTIVE

Abstraction -Nayan Manchanda How can something represent nothing in particular and still be so eye-catching? I'm sure you must have at least once said, “Even I can draw that….” looking at a painting which according to you must have had only a few blotches of colours on it. Then, you surely don't appreciate abstract art.

People might think that something that doesn't represent anything can't be interesting, but what you don't know is what the artist is trying to depict through his artwork.

Abstract art is supposed to grab your attention and touch you emotionally. It keeps you drawn to the word only using designs from colours which are freely forms. Some people think that abstract art lacks detail, but on the contrary the very much present detail is not deliberate and formed naturally.

So what grabs your attention while looking at this type of art? It is the combination of vibrant colours.

You are drawn to it for the same reason why a 'stop' sign is bright red in colour and the sky appears blue.

Abstract art is the most popular type of art collected today. It is the creativity of the artist which without depicting anything in particular makes his piece of art look pleasing to look at. This creativity of the artist reflects in the imagination of the viewers analyzing the art. Every change or revolution in this world

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needs some time for acceptance. Abstract is the modern form of art and people will take some time to understand this form.

In conclusion, everything in this world has to have its pro's and con's, its likes and dislikes. Some people may love abstract art, while others may think of it as a talentless display of colours on a canvas. It's completely different from the representation of physical objects. This is what makes it different than any other kind of artwork. We can say that it shows a different side of art. Emotions that come from within the artist are shown using different colors and textures, different shapes and forms. Abstract Art allows artists to let their creativity go free without having to worry about straight lines or perfect shapes. Their creativity allows them to take nothing and turn it into something. Not only something, but something that is pleasing to others.

DESCRIPTIVE

Art in Motion -Palash Kanwar Art has no fixed definition. It is a form of creative expression which can be anything from a simple doddle to Leonardo Da Vinci's mysterious Mona Lisa.

Human beings need a platform to express their creativity and imagination so that they don't confine their emotions within themselves. This expression can be delivered by 'performing arts'. These are art forms in which artists use their body or voice to convey artistic expression as opposed to plastic arts.

Dance, drama and music that are performed in front of many people or audiences are known to belong to 'performing arts'. When it comes to displaying 'performing arts', the artists and their performances are the ones that the audiences are interested in exactly the opposite way to what happens in plastic arts. These people are then commonly known as performers. This type of art is not new to the society because this has been around for so many years. Actually it all started centuries ago! This type of art is even more common in schools all over the world and it often involves a number of people who all have the passion to please the crowd by showcasing their talents. By wearing a huge variety of costumes, wigs, masks, foot wears and other accessories an artist transforms his own self into a totally different person by losing his own identity and taking someone else's or some other character's followed by enacting it.

As mentioned earlier there are mainly three branches of performing arts - dance, drama and music. The first type of performing arts is dance which basically refers to the movements of the human body using a particular rhythm. It lets the performer express his sentiments; on the other hand it also portrays the differ-

ent cultures of the human society or history about certain places. Another branch of performing arts is drama, which is mainly about acting in front of the people. The performer acts out a particular story in order to entertain the audience. Aside from acting, music, dance, sound and other elements of performing arts are used for the best performance. The last branch of this art is music which does not only refer to musical instruments or the sounds they make, but also involves the people who play the instruments and the voices of the people singing. It all started decades ago and now has engulfed the whole world within its wide arms.

Each of the branches of performing arts plays a very important role in the entertainment world.

All these things make performing arts complete and very interesting. Not only because it is a very good way of entertaining people but also because it is important for us to not let the culture die.

Modern day people tend to resort entertainment from areas that are killing tradition and leading to a dying breed and lack of diversity. The arts will take you back in time and make you feel as if you were sitting in the same room with people of the past in a wonderful indoor setting.

Performing arts entertainment is put on hold because many people tend to think they cannot afford it. Plays and performances have lowered their prices drastically and offer many packages.

Remember, if you are looking for an inexpensive way to feel the culture alive then go to a performing arts production in which your inner feeling of seeing a musical or play being performed live filled with excitement and anxiety will make the whole scene simply exasperating.

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FEATURES

My Experiments with Oil -Abhijeet Karwa When I was told to give in a write-up for this 8' by 3', oil on canvas, I really didn't know what to write, because while painting it there was no idea in my head. The painting just came along. Every bit of it was experimental. When nothing came to my mind I would just stare at it for a long time, then pick up the 2-inch brush and start playing with the oil on the painting. When the brush was becoming boring, the spatula came handy. All the texture between the two faces is done with spatula. What I

enjoyed the most was putting different colors on one big brush, dipping it in oil and just letting it all flow on the canvas. Keeping the balance on colors on both the sides was a difficult job. And so were the keeps. To work on the eyes, I first took a separate canvas and practiced on it several times, and then went on to do it on the panting. Working on this one was really special because there were no restrictions. I call it “InDependence”, and why I call it that, it's for you to decipher.

‘The Scream’ -Yasharth Goyal The Scream is the popular name given to each of four versions of a composition, created as both paintings and pastels, by the Expressionist artist Edvard Munch. The painting depicts a man screaming under a streaked, blood-red sky. The landscape in the background is the Oslofjord, viewed from Ekeberg, Oslo, Norway. The authentic German title

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given to the work by Edvard Munch is, Der Schrei der Natur (The Scream of Nature). The Norwegian word skrik usually is translated as scream, occasionally, the painting was also called, The Cry. The Scream has been the target of a thefts and some unsuccessful theft attempts. Some damage has been suffered in these thefts.

FEATURES The Scream was sold for $119.9m (ÂŁ73.9m) on 2 May 2012 to Norwegian businessman Petter Olsen, becoming the most expensive artwork ever sold at an auction. The bidding started at $40 million and lasted for more than

12 minutes when Leon Black gave his final offer of US$119,922,500.Sotheby's said the painting was the most colorful and vibrant of the four versions painted

by Munch and the only version whose frame was handpainted by the artist to include his poem, detailing the work's inspiration. After the sale, Sotheby's auctioneer Tobias Meyer said the painting was "worth every penny", adding: "It is one of the great icons of art in the world and whoever bought it should be congratulated."

The previous record for the most expensive work of art sold at an auction was Picasso's Nude, Green Leaves and Bust, which went for US$106.5 million.

From Canvas to Computer Screen -Aviral Gupta The first cognitive images formed in our heads when we hear 'Art' are that of a canvas, a palette and a few painting brush. Through the centuries, the medium of art has experienced a gradual evolution, transitioning from the walls of caves and natural paints to the modern canvases and chemical paints. Whatever the media may be, the concept was to capture the visually rich images in the psyche of an artist.

Living in an age where the modern technology touches our lives in every possible sphere, art is not far behind. With computers becoming a common household appliance, the photo-editing and other virtual softwares are becoming easily accessible.

With the advent of technology, the canvases are evolving into the computer screens for many, in particular for those who find it rather hard to play with colours on a canvas. With this evolution, a new form of art has come into prominence, which is now being called 'Digital Art'.

Through the development and research of software-pioneers like Adobe and Corel, these virtual softwares are making digital-art more

stimulating and are adding new dimensions to it. With the help of this digital technology many spheres of art, such as painting, drawing, sketching and sculpture, have been transformed. New fields like net art, digital installation art, and virtual reality have emerged in digital art, which have now become recognized artistic practices. Presently, the term 'digital art' is used for contemporary art which make use of procedures of mass production or digital media.

Active use of Digital Art is being made by the Media in various forms. Ranging from movie posters to the company brochures, Digital Art impacts our lives in many ways and its creations are all around us. In fact, this magazine is a creation of Digital Art. With everything becoming electronic, from newspapers to invitations, digital art definitely has a very bright future and has great scope for further development.

So those who find art complex and feel that it is only meant for certain skilled and gifted ones, the userfriendly interface of virtual softwares like Adobe Photoshop and Corel Paint will surely give you a chance to try your hand at art, the best part being that you can edit or 'undo' a wrong stroke of the brush.

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FEATURES

Experimental Art -Madhav Dutt When I began with my set of paintings, there were a multitude of ideas flying chaotically in the deep recesses of my head. I began playing around with a few colours after building on the abstract anatomical figures. With a certain amount of experimental learning, I stumbled upon an aesthetically appealing theme. I chose to keep the rest of my canvas plain and simple because it brought to the fore the stark contrast I rendered between the figures and the colours. I let my mind run loose, which is how I managed to build upon this set.

I chose this theme (human movement), as it encapsulates what my though process was all about. I chose acrylic because it is a safe medium, a medium I am comfortable with. While working on all these works, I also learned about the intricacies of the human anatomy (and in one case, the animal

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anatomy as well). Initially, these paintings were meant to signify emotions, the paintings with the ribbon meant victory (the victor in a race crosses the ribbon), while the blue waves in one of the other paintings depicted freedom. But as I progressed with my set of paintings, this entire concept grew larger and larger, until it couldn't be constrained to just emotions. This is precisely why these paintings have grown steadily, and now my concept isn't just emotion, but is gestural motion. Through this theme, I am able to build upon my theme, without any limits.

However, these works are still not complete. I am refining and adding to them, layer by layer. Soon, when I am truly satisfied, philosophically and aesthetically, they will be complete in my mind. I am proud of these works and I hope I will be able to do justice to this concept.

FEATURES

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FEATURES

If Supernatural Made Layouts...

-Shreshtha Verma

One can never imagine what it takes to make the world. We are not looking at the scientific aspects here, it is the artistic one which inspired my work and me.

Have you ever reflected upon something which is way beyond reason and tried to find the 'reason' behind it? For me, the very helplessness of not finding a reason was at the core of my theme, “If supernatural made layouts...” For those who are not aware of what 'layouts' mean, it is, in simple terms, a rough drawing or probably a sketch which one makes before starting a final work so that the work seems to be in sync with the idea one first had. It is just a very basic portrayal of an idea to guide the artist towards the master piece in creation. And, I believe, no one can doubt that the supernatural was the divine artist.

I have seen people trying to give their deities a shape and a virtual portrayal in the real world, which is also the theme of their work. I have tried to make my work a bit dissimilar to the conventional theme related to the “Gods” as I have always believed that being an artist is to be unconventional, to be creative.

I am working on a series of paintings, sculptures, and photographs which don’t have a definite finalization

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to them. People have questioned me over this, and their questions have more or less been the same: how can you be the one comparing your thoughts to that of the Gods. The only answer which I have is that I am not thinking on the same lines as God, I am trying to understand why he thought on those lines.

I am an incidental artist and with each price that I create, I tend to improve and I hope the same happens to this series too.

This series has taught me a few things. I have understood that in today's world people are so involved in the complexities that they tend to ignore the basic elements of happiness, of life. I have understood, or rather started believing that the supernatural made this world for a reason in the same way I make an art

FEATURES These thoughts are endless and they will keep accumulating, but one needs to realize that there are greater complexities in the world compared to the ones that are there in our personal life, which we need to un-complicate.

work for a reason. The reason might be deriving pleasure, but it still is one. No one likes to see a creation being considered anything less than perfect and probably even the Gods did not, thus they made this world, a perfect creation.

Where Textiles Meet Sculptures...

-Amartya Tirtha Bhowmick Sculpture is a branch of the visual arts which make the most of the third dimension. Through sculptures, artists transcend the bridge between artistic interpretation and reality. Since time immemorial, the art of sculpting was limited by materials, namely wood, stone and metal. However, in today's day and age, artistic modernism has paved the way for liberal and free use of a wide range of materials. The Western tradition of sculpture began in Ancient Greece, where many master pieces were sculpted. In the Middle Ages, Gothic sculptures were made which depicted the agonies and passions of the Christian faith. The revival of these classical models in the Renaissance times p ro d u c e d p ro l i f i c s c u l p t u r e s , s u c h a s Michelangelo's David. Modernist sculpture moved away from the interpretation of the human body to

moulding constructed sculptures, giving more emphasis to presentation rather than creation.

Sculptures are both carved and welded. This art form is considered 'plastic' because of the ability to mould and play with the material. Many different painting techniques have been used in making sculpture as well, including tempera, oil painting, gilding, house paint, aerosol, enamel and sandblasting.

3 years ago, our School has introduced a new form of sculpture which is known as Textile Sculpture. To make this type of a sculpture we need to first make an armature using metal rods. Then, we put cloth over this mesh, weave the cloth anddo some appliquĂŠ work on it by using fabric material on it. With the support of our textile teacher, we students are able to experiment with textile sculpture in school.

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REFLECTIVE

Distorting the Past -Satvik Narain In history, past is considered as a whole and history is the study of all the past events. Art has always been one of the most important and vital sources of history. Historians study art to depict the past as they are probably of the most reliable sources of information about our past. But not in all cases art is the best source to depict the past, as many artists try to use art to manipulate or distort the past. Artists while creating their art sometimes try to meddle with the real history.

In the past, there have been many instances in which artists have wrongfully tried to interpret history and also made a few alterations to the real events. Take the painting of Napoleon Bonaparte's Coronation as an example, firstly the title of the painting is deceptive and misleading it should be called the Coronation of Josephine, as the painting shows Napoleon crowning his bride. Now the best aspect of the painting is the depiction of Napoleon's dear mother, who is sitting squarely in the centre of the portrait, looking demurely on the entire scene with an approving countenance. I adore this because, in reality, she was not present. She disagreed with Napoleon for crown-

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ing Josephine queen, as Josephine had not produced any heirs (and of course, blaming this on Napoleon was unthinkable, and so Napoleon's mother blamed it on Josephine). Napoleon's mother went pertly off to Italy on the coronation day which was in France, as everyone knew that she would cause a chaos and a fuss about the coronation.

“Now the best aspect of the painting is the depiction of Napoleon's dear mother, who is sitting squarely in the centre of the portrait, looking demurely on the entire scene with an approving countenance. I adore this because, in reality, she was not present�

Many other famous paintings or portraits of the past are also considered to be tampered with. It is said that the iconic portrait of the sixteenth president of the United States , Abraham Lincoln is also consid-

REFLECTIVE ered tampered with as reportedly, the head in the portrait is of Abraham Lincoln and the rest of the body in the portrait belongs to southern politician John Calhoun.

Another very famous photograph which is considered tampered is the portrait of General Ulysses S. Grant in front of his troops at City Point, Virginia, during the American Civil War. Some intricate detective work by researchers at the Library of Congress revealed that this print is a composite of three separate prints: (1) the head in this photo is taken from a portrait of Grant; (2) the horse and body are those of Major General Alexander M. McCook; and (3) the background is of Confederate prisoners captured at the battle of Fisher's Hill, VA. Therefore it is evident that art is used as a medium to tamper with the past. This tampering has been

happening for a few centuries and will continue to happen. With advancement in technology mankind has come up with Photoshop, which is a virtual software, that enables us to tamper with almost any photograph or painting to our convenience. Art was initially done to express the artist's true feelings or capture great events; however over time this trend has changed and the glitter now is never gold.

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DESCRIPTIVE

Through the Lens -Ashutish Goyal A photograph has to be created than just show the reality. Photography has various techniques and it all depends on how the photographer utilizes them. In the earlier days pictorialism was famous and photographers like Julia Margaret Cameron and George Davison created artistic effects using different light conditions and an out of focus camera. The first Kodak camera was an important shift for photography because that was when photographers could actually play with light.

Today light is an essential element in photography.

The art of photography itself rests on the understanding and usage of the available light. The availability of light makes the camera interpret the subject or the scene. A photographer needs to have an understanding of the features of light for his photographs.

There are two flavors of light.

One is soft and the other is hard.

Naturally available light on an overcast day gives you a base for using soft light. Some photographers consider this as a blessing as they get a glowing effect but sometimes too much of this light might give a flattering result.

Hard light, like on a sunny day is just like a ring of opportunities. It is totally upon the photographer how he utilizes this light. This kind of light can result in fine patterns and textures. We can also portray

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focused shades and sharp shadows using the hard light.

The more light you have the more desired effect you can get. Light can simply be controlled by aperture, shutter speed, ISO and flash depending on the surrounding conditions. More light is mandatory for moving objects for high shutter speed.

Direction of light plays a very important role in the remarkable results and textures of some photographs. Lighting the subject from behind can give the 'halo effect' that makes the object glow. Using the lens flare can give a 'dreamy effect' and using a flash for a subject which is underexposed to light can give the desired effect.

We can also give various effects to the photographs by causing the area to blur, creating a look, which is aesthetically pleasing. This effect is known as Bokeh. The other effect is Contre Jour in which the camera is directly pointing towards the light source.

This effect can produce a contrast between light and dark. It hides the details yet emphasizes on the subject.

In the end I would just say that photography is much more than clicking a photo. It is something only a handful can master. The limitation in photography is not always the photographer’s camera, but it can be his creativity.

DESCRIPTIVE

Body - A Canvas -Vibhav Gupta One has been hearing about art in many forms ranging from canvas portraits to sculpture making.

Artists over the years have expressed their emotions by beautifying various surfaces and creating many masterpieces. We see a large amount of artificial, permanent painting; but rarely do we hear or see body art, which is growing in popularity all around the world.

Body art is any form of art performed on the human body. It can be either temporary or permanent.

Painting, one of the most basic forms of art is done on the body for various reasons. Kathakali, a famous Indian form of dance, involves painting of the face and limbs in multiple bright colors.

Face painting can also be seen in mime theatres, which has a tradition of painting their face white; and in other forms of drama to provide the background and bodily features of the character.

Another very important and popular form of body art is tattoo making.

Tattoos have been noticeable even in the past, when names and other holy signs were pierced onto newborn babies, and when people used to engrave names of family members on their bodies and this is still prevalent in the rural parts of India. But, coming to the urban areas of the country, tattoo making has become a style statement-it ranges from tattoos made to look like ornaments on their body to the large, funky looking ones.

Scarring (the art of creating specific wounds that

leave raised marks when healed) is also another type of body piercing. In earlier cultures, scarring a person was a mark of adulthood. Body piercing is the art of piercing ones body to wear jewelry. Popular within both sexes we see all sorts of body parts pierced and it is a major fashion statement now a days.

Nail art was once considered very tacky but has now become a rage. The once monocoloured nails are now seen decorated with an array of bright colors, or even with small temporary tattoos, made with glossy nail polish and glitter. It is widely preferred as it is not harmful, fairly visible (as hands are never generally covered) and temporary.

Due to rise in the nail art industry, the demand for manicure and pedicure has also reached an alltime high.

Therefore, we see that body art has steadily evolved over the years and has become a rage today.

Many organizations and companies today are dependent upon artistic advertisements; and are now trying to evolve to various new art forms, and human art forms will surely be taken into consideration. It is only to be kept in mind that art on the body should be taken only to an extent that it does not physically harm us in any way. People should avoid using harmful chemicals on their body, which if used may lead to fatal hazards. Our body is our most valued possession and should be treated with utmost care. Moreover, body art is a rapidly growing field and is one to look out for in the future.

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VIEW-POINT

Cartoon Conundrum -Arjun Singh Kapoor Once opened, Aseem Trivedi's Facebook page isn't one that is like any other. It is an anti- government page targeted at ridding the Government of corruption . However, it is not a direct attack against the Government. It seeks to drive out corruption by bringing cartoons to people's attention.

Aseem Trivedi infuses humor into his cartoons to make them enjoyable for a reader. However he shot into national prominence when he was charged with sedition and was arrested by the Mumbai police.

This arrest attracted national hype throughout the country and many other cartoonists started feeling insecure.

Till recently, cartoons used to highlight the funny side of the government without considering the feelings of the politicians. We as readers always found these cartoons humorous. Aseem Trivedi too used to make cartoons in this fashion. Such cartoons were permitted in a free and democratic India. Any person had a right to express his views.

However, some politicians found Aseem Trivedi's cartoons insulting and I feel taking him to jail was unnecessary on the government’s part. Eventually he

18 Strokes and Shades Founder’s Issue 2012

was given bail. But the reaction of the Government to Aseem Trivedi's cartoons would stay with the common man for a very long time.

Aseem Trivedi has also used the much hyped Anna Hazare anti-corruption campaign as a source of inspiration and has displayed many cartoons on this theme.

The funny part of the entire Aseem Trivedi episode is that he had to fly down to Syria to collect an award for his cartoons. The award, given by the Cartoonists Rights Network International, is for Courage in Editorial Cartooning.

His cartoons are extremely witty, for example his cartoon of the Parliament getting an Oscar for acting in real life to dogs, not to lions on the national emblem of India.

Cartoonists have gathered support online and they have strongly expressed their displeasure at the incident which took place.

Drawing a cartoon is an art which is appreciated by most newspaper readers. In many cartoons the seriousness of a matter is brought out in a witty manner. All I can say is that ‘it's got it all’!

VIEW-POINT

The Very Best of The Common Man -Madhav Dutt This ekphrastic work by R.K Laxman truly manages to reflect India, at its worst and best, all in 200 pages.

Essentially it is a compilation of his very best cartoons that he made for the Times of India ( he had his own column, 'You Said It') over the past decade and a half.

His prologue explains the introduction of cartooning in India. He says it came with the British when they arrived to rule us. Ever since then there have been political cartoons but none were extremely courageous and brave. After India gained its independence however, cartoonists learnt berserk drawing things against the government. The main reason they draw these witty and wise cracks is because our government is perpetually flawed and they want the community to see these flaws. They bring the truth out to the nation through their pens.

The constant in these hundreds of cartoons is 'The Common Man�. As the Time magazine very aptly described him, 'he sees his country being forced through endless indignities by its leaders and yet doesn't even whimper in protest.' He is dressed in his checked jacket, a kurta and loongi in the bottom and

a perpetually bewildered expression with his moustache and spectacles on top!

What makes me marvel at R.K Laxman is his control over this art. What leaves me stunned is the way every brush stroke in his work plays a quintessential role in the molding of the final work. It is fabulous how he can render any object with just one or two abstract lines at the right places. He has worked on the idea of the common man for the more than half a century! All his cartoons have one clever caption or dialogue which will make sure you let out a laugh, either at the situation or at R.K Laxman's ingenuity in rendering it!

It takes decades of experience to reach this point and I must say that R.K Laxman has reached this point in style. He has received many awards for his contribution to Indian journalism and almost every Indian who has seen the Times of India will remember his small but extremely vital contribution to it. As the book is mainly filled with his best cartoons, it is certainly not complex and one can just pick it up and begin from the middle! It is truly a brilliant work of art.

19 Strokes and Shades Founder’s Issue 2012

DESCRIPTVE

Sculptures and Sculptors -Shivank Singh For a layman a sculpture would mean a work of art left for people like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and their likes. Art in its true form is an expression of the human mind and its emotions and sculpture gives a physical dimension to this art form.

For most, sculpture would mean some aweinspiring figure that great artistes find a treat. But there are many different types of sculptures, which unlike 'great pieces', can be found around us in our daily lives. From the masonry done by the local 'masterjis' to something made by a kid out of hot wax, sculpture is an art form portraying the imagination of the mind through dimensions. Due to the vastness of the field of sculpture art, it has to be classified into various divisions and sub-divisions based on their types. There is relief sculpture, mobile sculpture, sound sculpture, light sculpture and a host of other types. A relief sculpture for example is almost like a painting, which has been sculpted and brought out usually with clay making the background and the main part. Sound sculpture too is a form of art that is very intriguing. It is a sculpture that creates a “sound”. An example would be the Blackpool high tide organ.

Sculpture as a professional art is an organized form

20 Strokes and Shades Founder’s Issue 2012

of expression of one's ideas. Different areas have their characteristic form of sculpture art. For example-the famous sculptures of the Ellora caves are different from the nok culture's sculptures of Nigeria. Various types of variations have been incorporated such as the early, stiff and elongated style of gothic art which evolved from Romanesque form of art, leading on to various changes and alterations which changed the form and type of widely accepted sculpts.

Modern art was revolutionized by Pablo Picasso and Constantin Brancusi who started experimenting by combining objects and producing different sculptures that appealed to the masses and ushered in an era of sculpt-revolution that included abstract art which was once shrouded by figurative art, coming to the forefront. Collaborative projects with landscape designers, architects, and landscape architects expanded the outdoor site and contextual integration.

The artist according to his imagination interpreted this form of art. Modern art was soon followed by post modernism art that is a broader field and is largely based on the interaction of art and its surroundings.

Other abstract forms of art have also been evolved such as environmental art, environmental sculpture, etc. which are practiced outdoors in full view of the people.

Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief: Editor: Chief-of-Production: Senior Editors: Associate Editors: Senior Correspondents: Junior Correspondents: School Art Secretary: Faculty Advisor: Head of Department of Art:

Shreshtha Verma Aviral Gupta Jaskrit Singh Divyank Sharma, Madhav Dutt Abhishek Bansal, Satvik Narain Ashutosh Goyal, Palash Kanwar Arjun Singh Kapur, Anirudh Popli Abhijeet Karwa Mr Arnab Mukherjee Mr Aloke Tirtha Bhowmick

Other Credits Special Thanks: Mr Richard Weinstein Photo Credits: Orijeet Chatterjee Contributors: Yasharth Goyal, Amartya Tirtha Bowmick, Shivank Singh, Vibhav Gupta Picture Credits: Cover Page -Mario Mayer; Page 5 - katecollins2003.wordpress.com; Page 6 abstract-original-art.abstractartpaintings.co.uk/abstract-art-acrylic/; Page 7 - arts1.co.uk; Page 9 Edvard Munch; Page 14 - businessinsider.com; Page 15 - click.si.edu; Page 17 - sightswithin.com; Page 18 - pardaphash.com1, Ifex.org2; Page 19 - fillum.com1, quicktake.wordpress.com2

The Art School, The Doon School, Dehradun - 248001.

Website: www.doonschool.com Š Copyright: The Doon School, Dehradun 2012 All the information is correct at the time of going to press.

The school reserves the right to make any amendments.

The school reserves the right to make any amendments.