Study
Abroad
Art 244. Indian Art and Popular Culture, Independence to
the Present
Program Dates: December 27-January 17, 2008
The Program
In this unique January term course, "Contemporary Indian
Art and Popular Culture," you will gain an intimate knowledge
of Indian art, ranging from early historical works to the
most important contemporary artists working in Delhi and Mumbai
today. We will visit premiere art museums and galleries as
well as meet individual artists and dealers in their studios
and galleries. Additionally in the Royal “Pink City”
of Jaipur in Rajasthan you will have the opportunity to observe
and take lessons from a traditional painter of Indian miniatures
and take part in the annual January Jaipur Festival of Art.
Other excursions will include the Taj Mahal in Agra, the painted
villages of Shekawati in Rajasthan, the Elephanta Caves and
the Bollywood studios in Mumbai.
The Academics
You will receive 3 credits registering for the course in
the spring semester. While in India you will tour, keep a
daily journal, sketches and photographs as well take additional
notes based on visits with individual artists, museum directors
and gallery dealers. You will have ample time to visit museums
and galleries on your own to gather additional material or
just tour the winding streets, vibrant markets, handicraft
shops as well as mosques, temples, shrines and forts.
In addition, you will complete response papers for discussion
based on provided readings of significant topics that will
enhance your understanding of Indian philosophy, religion
and culture. Upon your return to UConn you will complete either
three art projects, papers or presentations (or a combination
of all three) based on your interpretation of your experiences,
the art you have seen, or conduct additional research on a
topic or artist you were introduced to during the trip.
The Experience
You will stay in dual occupancy rooms in small hotels in
Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur in the heart of the cities. While
one meal is provided by most hotel facilities, all three cities
have ample inexpensive restaurant facilities that will allow
you to experience the culinary delights of Indian cuisine.
We will travel from city to city by bus or air, and while
in the city learn to bargain for a good fare in India’s
famous rickshaws. We will also take advantage of many evening
music, dance or theatrical events that may be occurring during
our visit.
Kathryn Myers has been a professor of Art
in the Department of Art and Art History at the University
of Connecticut since 1984. She is a recipient of a 2002 Fulbright
Fellowship to India, and has organized several important exhibitions
and panels on Contemporary Indian Art.
Julie Evans is an accomplished artist who
exhibits her work internationally, and has been teaching Art
since 1993. She is the recipient of a 2004 Fulbright Scholarship
to India, and co-curated an important exhibition of Contemporary
Indian Art for the 2005 Venice Biennial.
See link on the UConn Study Abroad site:
UConn
Art and Popular Culture in India (winter)
For other programs in India, see the following links on the
UConn Study Abroad site:
CIEE:
Hyderabad, India
IES:
Study in Delhi, India
SIT:
India, Arts and Culture - Jaipur
SIT:
India, Himalayan Buddhist Art and Architecture (summer)
- Spiti, Manali, Zanskar
SIT:
Tibetan Studies, India - Dharamsala
