Arterior is more than just a portmanteau word. It is what Native Krea, a social impact startup, has ventured to deliver – blending art with architecture. The startup intends to bring various artists under one platform and provide a global reach.
“We compose and manufacture art and art-related products by bringing together native artists,” says S Shanmuga Raja@ Shaan Raj, founder, Native Krea.He says the art that decorates the interiors of most buildings is too generic – scenery, portraits. “But the field is vast. Visuals can be from concepts and stories from our rich heritage, culture, literature and history,” he adds. A visual artist, heritage researcher and storyteller, Shanmuga Raja founded Native Krea in 2019.
Backed by a round of angel investment and a grant from TANSEED, he and co-founder Srivaishnavi Saravanan have been trying to fill the gaps left by engineers and architects. “We are integrating art with a multitude of things to usher life into buildings through stories, paintings and art works,” says Srivaishnavi. Office space in general is templated, cubicles that are lined up uniformly and to suit the available space.
To add value, promoters may end up hanging a painting or installing a sculpture. Not much else. “We break the barrier and create a difference, both in already built or yet to be built space. Unlike engineers and architects, artists have no boundaries and they fill the gaps,” she says. “We strive to tell stories through our art. Our core principles are authenticity, unique story-telling, and skilled artistry with Indian artists at the forefront.
We believe that true art speaks volumes without saying single word. Our art has a purpose. Our artists have vision and our team has the drive to take our tales of tradition, culture and ethnic artistry to the global stage,” says Srivaishnavi. She says the novel ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ reached a wider audience in the present generation thanks to the two-part film series. But the novel ‘Velpari’ has a stronger storyline than ‘Ponniyin Selvan’.
“Someone down the line had given us the image for Thiruvalluvar. Likewise, based on the characterization, we are working on giving images to various characters in ‘Velpari’. Srivashnavi says Indians may live wherever work takes them but when it comes to festivals, they connect to their roots. “We need to take this culture to the next generation through iconic visual form as miniatures, 2D murals and art among others.”
Native Krea undertakes work for private companies, buildings and even individuals. Startup TN has asked Native Krea to redo the space in the hubs at Chennai, Madurai, Erode and Tirunelveli within the protocol established for government offices. Fame TN’s office in Chennai’s Guindy too has received the touch from Native Krea artists. “We want to be a one-stop point for art and the A to Z knowledge base for art and create a global base for artists,” says Shanmuga Raja. About 170 artists from across India, including around 40 from Tamil Nadu, have joined hands with Native Krea so far.
Co-organized by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) and Center for Creative Photography (CCP) in collaboration with the School of Art, University of Arizona, Wonders and Witness: Contemporary Photography from Korea represents the joint effort of these institutions to share the achievements of Korean photography with a broader audience.
Contemporary Korean society can be called a culmination of social consequences caused by rapid modernization, urbanization, and westernization. It carries pervasive sensibilities such as modern desire, anxiety, mystery, and frustration. In this context, photography emerges as a significant and potent medium capable of documenting the scenes of our daily life and society, bearing witness to their dynamic and precarious changes. The photographs showcased in this exhibition invite us to question and contemplate various issues prevalent in contemporary Korean life and society, including urbanization, individual and community dynamics, family matters, identity, and economic shifts.
It can be said that the works are grounded on the belief of the photographic possibility of documentation, yet with a subjective and artistic interpretation. The photographs portray a scene as an observation of the world around us. At the same time, they attempt to capture invisible sensibilities that continuously linger in the photographed moment. In this regard, the works of these 12 photographers serve not only as social commentary but also as acute witnesses to the affective conditions of society.
Hopefully, these works will give rise to captivating and unforeseen narratives, resonating with the wider audience at the Center for Creative Photography. The photographed moments, where artistic intention and magical serendipity coexist, possess the capacity to engage viewers’ imaginations and interpretations, ultimately harnessing the profound power of photography, replete with wonders and witness.
The exhibition is accompanied by the International Symposium on Korean Photography, held at the CCP auditorium. The schedule is as below.
Saturday, November 18: The first day of the symposium includes two panel discussions and a roundtable with various esteemed speakers, including Dr. Park Pyongjong, Professor, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea; Dr. Kim Youngmin, Professor, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea; Dr. Kim Jeehey, Assistant Professor, University of Arizona; Kim Namin, Curator, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea; Linde Lehtinen, Curator of Photography, Huntington Library; and Zhao Yechen, Assistant Curator of Photography, Art Institute of Chicago.
Sunday, November 19: The last day features highly anticipated panel discussion at 1:10pm with photographers featured in the Wonders and Witness exhibition. Speakers include Gwon Doyeon, Kim Oksun, Oh Heinkuhn, and Yoon JeongMee.
Register for the symposium here.
It’s no secret that a paramount perk of a remote position is the ability to work from anywhere. For many, it’s an opportunity to daydream about how to truly take full advantage and work from somewhere uniquely inspiring and convenient to get to. Central Washington’s Columbia River Basin is that haven for so many – a destination defined by stunning scenery and a dynamic lifestyle ready to be enjoyed the minute we’re done for the day. Read moreCrescent Ridge is Your Home Base for Central Washington Adventure
It’s no secret that a paramount perk of a remote position is the ability to work from anywhere. For many, it’s an opportunity to daydream about how to truly take full advantage and work from somewhere uniquely inspiring and convenient to get to. Central Washington’s Columbia River Basin is that haven for so many – a destination defined by stunning scenery and a dynamic lifestyle ready to be enjoyed the minute we’re done for the day. Read moreCrescent Ridge is Your Home Base for Central Washington Adventure
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