2014
“WINTER RESIDECY PROGRAM”

In 2015, D.I.S.C The Art residency Begin on its journey to become an officially registered non-profit entity in Fakirpur, Odisha, dedicated to promote creativity and collaboration among artists, researchers, writers, historians, performers, and cultural enthusiasts. Through a variety of programs, including art and research initiatives, internship, workshops, seminars, events, and exhibitions, we aim to value a vibrant creative community. But before we reached this significant milestone, in the year 2014, we initiated a journey that laid the foundation of our mission and vision. The 2014 art residency program was not merely a starting point; it was a key moment that allowed us to gain thoughtful understandings into the ethics and challenges faced by artists during their residencies with us.

D.I.S.C. the Art's 2014 residency program was an introduction to our formal launch. It served as a platform to explore the minutiae of residencies, preparing us for future programs. During this residency, we broke down barriers and connected with the grassroots. It was a transformative experience that unfolded over the course of a year, The residency program started from 1st February to 30th April 2014.

Exploring Artistic Values: In the 2014 program, we brought together artists from diverse backgrounds, including national, international, and indigenous talents from all regions. Especially, our coordinators, Bijay Nath and Ausra Kleizaite, were actively involved as residents, gaining a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities through various workshops and by immersing themselves in the daily lives of indigenous communities. This experience helped us to appreciate the value of cultural diversity and how it develops our residency programs. In this journey Choudury Asis Saran, Binod Mahanty and founder of Navjyoti NGO, Drubananda Saran helps us to design our journey plan.

The selected international resident artists, including Augustinas Kluoda (Lithuania), Laura Prikule (Latvia), and Petra Matuskova (Czech Republic),Bijay Kumar Nath (India) and Ausra Kleizaite (Lithuania) coordinated the program and participated in the exhibition, providing invaluable mentorship and support.

The 2014 program acted as a magnifying glass, enabling us to identify and understand with the challenges artists face during their residencies. From language barriers to cultural adjustments, local food, local art materials, difficulty to collect local colors and the need for equitable representation, this program provided profound insights. It became clear that storytelling and experiencing the true essence of life were vastly different, so we set out to improve and adapt, ensuring that artists would find their residency experiences seamless and empowering. During this journey the participants are stretch themselves to have many odia foods that are prepared with millets, collected from forests products, and farmed from courtyard field. All food we had during our journey was really delicious and hygienic. The food, and cultures are closely related to their daily life.

About D.I.S.C. the Art's 2014 (90-day) program:

D.I.S.C. the Art residents started on a collective journey covering 3,500 kilometers with our backpacks, engaging themselves in the eco-friendly life style of Odishan Adivasis and their cultures. Artists adapted to the daily routines of Odishan Adivasis, from morning to night, each moment has unique journey with local guides and alongside local residents. The golden rays of the sun inspired them to explore nature and the vibrant hues of earth color. The journey was a charming road-film, filled with contrasting moments, from busy to peaceful, while visiting Odisha's Adivasi regions.

Resident artists explored various regions, including Machhagarh, Bhimkund, Kessana, Khiching (Mayurbhanj), Ghatagaon, Fakiarpur, Chakratirtha (Keonjhar), Gunupur, Domsara, Puttasing, Ramnnagudda, Rugudibai (Rayagada), Jaypore, Gaddapadar, Ramagudda, Baiganapadar, Kusumbhatta, and Kundura (Koraput), Kujanga, Hukitola (Paradeep). They had the freedom of experiencing the cultures of Kolhha, Santhal, Saura, Lanjia Saura, Mali, Paraja, and Kandha tribes. Witnessing the Bali Jatra festival in Gadapadar village, enjoyed Adivasi music and dance, and participating in Santhal weddings enriched their understanding of the colorful Adivasi life. After six weeks of exploration, artists settled at the base camp in Kotsahi, near Tangi, Cuttack, to continue their creative journey and prepare for the exhibition of D.I.S.C. the Art residency 2014—The exhibition held at Subhadra Art Gallery, Bhubaneswar from date 18th April to 26th April, made possible with the generous support and understanding of Sir Rabi Narayan Rath and Surya Narayan Rath.

Our journey began with the 2014 program, where we are not only recognized the value of art but also gained a profound understanding of the challenges artists face during their residencies. This year marked the beginning of our commitment to bridging gaps, nurturing creativity, and celebrating diversity. As we continue to grow and evolve, we owe a debt of gratitude to the 2014 program for shaping the essence of our art residency. It was the year that set us on the path to becoming the organization we are today.