Why Research as Art?

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Why Research as Art?

More and more contemporary art is becoming a tool of investigation and engagement in the hands of artist. In the high sciences driven society, it is primary for the artist to interpret the technological advancement and create a link with the public with possible fault/dangers of this advancement.

In this regard Artists are the intermediate between society and sciences. And this is not only limited to Sciences, it involves every sphere of human consciousness, social, historical or political.

When Duchamp defined the urinal as a piece of art, he enabled the artist to present his views and challenge the society to question, interpret and understand it. It was a defining moment in art history, as it made art, leave it framework of aesthetics and compositions. It shifted all its focus towards the idea, its genuine intentions and the truth/fact it stands on.

At the same time it also made the artist a political entity. When an artist defines a certain way of looking at his creation, he is being political, as he is projecting an idea of self on others.

In this regard, I have been developing my work, as a part anthropologist, part social scientist, and part historian. Recently I had undertaken a research-based project in my native village of Aulinjaa in Vidisha district of Madhya Pradesh, India, where I documented transformations happening at a micro-level, in traditional village society by the forces of global consumerism. It can be viewed at: www.aulinjaamp.blogspot.com

The Globalization and Industrialization has brought many developments in third world societies, but at the same time they have given many problems like the current Rural agrarian crises, labor migration, its urban exploitation, and failure of land reforms etc. the list is large and complex as is India. Recently this list has also included ideas of education, development, democracy etc. as they are the primary pillars on which the Globalization process stands.