Events And Gallery

The Online Global Classroom is an initiative by Kohei Nakashima, an educator from Toyota Minami High School in Japan. He organises moderated discussions online for students, focusing on SDGs, from across the world. It is attended by teachers and students from a wide range of countries. This week the topic was, ‘How can Design save the world?’

Since it is in sync with our theme in grade 11, 12, I opened it for my Painting students. Four students joined the forum on Saturday, 22nd May, 2021. Samarr Parmar, Aditya Vikram, Zaara Fatima from grade 12 and Pranya from grade 11.

Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan, Georgia, Armenia, Turkey, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Pakistan, Mexico, Philippines were represented. Our students participated constructively and their inputs were appreciated by everyone. Zaara and Aditya took forward our theme of Folk Art and became ambassadors of the art forms, spreading the word about their beauty, sustainability and also the current need to uplift these communities. Zaara showcased her creation inspired by Bidri Craft of Telangana. Samarr and Pranya participated and discussed the environmental impacts of design, among other things.

Following is the feedback of the students.

Aditya: It was really nice interacting with the people from different parts of the world.

I learnt that despite geographical differences some of us have quite similar ideas and understanding. I contributed to the discussion by promoting the folk art work of India that ensures sustainable development.

My speech- Today I will specifically talk about folk art. The art forms are Sustainable: use only natural colours and surfaces, they don’t harm the environment. The artists have a deep knowledge of the natural environment.

These days, due to lack of support, these art forms are dying. The generations of master craftsmen are not continuing.

We want to spread the word about them. Then more people will know about them, buy from them, their economic condition will improve, more importantly will provide employment and our cultural traditions will continue.

These days the arts are being modernised yet embracing the traditions by making folk art on daily utility products such clothings, accessories, decorations etc. I have a small request, Whenever you visit India do take these as souvenirs.

The teacher from Georgia really liked mine and two friends’ from Pakistan and Japan’s also very much such that she asked us three to be presenters.

Samarr: I loved interacting with people from all over the world.

I learned how design can be used in all spheres of life to improve the quality of our life.

I talked about environmental problems and also helped my team representative to create the final summary.

Surely I would love to attend again.

Zaara Fatima: It was great! Interacting with friends from other parts of the world was very enlightening and as each one of them had such different views. It gave me a new perspective.

I learnt about how design can change the world in so many ways, by engineers and architects who build such breathtaking structures and products to make our life easier, or by students our age who make beautiful and eye opening posters that highlight the the different socioeconomic and environmental issues.

I professed that promoting the works of artists and craftsmen around the globe is a great way to evolve sense of design as well as help people learn more about their cultures. Who knows how our folk arts that show scenes from different epics like Mahabharata can impact people from other countries. If we have a platform where artists of different ethnicities can share their art, it will not only give a lease of life to many of these dying art forms, but also improve their socioeconomic conditions. To promote the artists and craftsmen of my country, I decided to speak about the folk art of india. I showed them a bowl I made with black paper and silver pens to replicate the Bidri work which is a metal inlay work.

I would love to attend this forum again.

Pranya: It was an amazing experience. We discussed design in different spheres, from fashion to green buildings and engineering. I got to be the presenter from my group and I was excited to do so. I will attend again if given a chance.