What is a visual image?
How do we make meaning of images?
What are the consequences of our interpretation of images?
In a world where the visual is increasingly emerging as a
language in itself, it is important to critically reflect on the role
of images in our everyday lives.
This two-day workshop by Ruchika Gurung will introduce participants to key ideas in visual
literacy, expand their understanding of visual culture and help develop skills to articulate this
understanding. These concepts will further be explored though case studies of various art
practices, mediation on our own surroundings and dialogues on the politics of identity and
representation through an intersectional lens.
WORKSHOP DETAILS
Date - 3, 4th October, 2020 (2,3 hour session)
Workshop fee - ₹ 500/-
Workshop tutor - Ruchika Gurung
*WORKSHOP IS ONLY FOR PARTICIPANTS FROM DARJEELING HILLS AND SIKKIM
Learning Outcomes:
1. Introduction to key ideas in visual literacy.
2. To expose participants to an understanding of visual culture and to develop the skills to
articulate this understanding.
3. To promote a culture of reflection and critical thinking.
4. To encourage participants to critically evaluate their surroundings, their background and their
artistic practice.
INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL CULTURE AND LITERACY -
Day 1 - (2-3 hours): 3rd October,2020 Saturday 5pm
• The first session will be dedicated to discussing what the visual image is and what is culture.
The session will also address how we go about interpreting and incorporating an understanding
of our surroundings into our work.
• In this session the discussion will focus on compositions and structures of the image. How
can stories be crafted out of visual images and what is the nature of construction that takes place.
• Case studies Elina Brotherus, Ryan McGinley, Viviane Sassen, etc.
WAYS OF SEEING AND MEANING -
Day 2 - (2-3 hours): 4th October, 2020 Sunday 5pm
• In this session participants will focus on discussing the relevance of the visual image and
how to go about analysing them through a critical lens. Participants will be encouraged to
develop their critical thinking and to analyse the visual image
• The visualisation of an identity has always shared a complex relationship in various
discourses of art and media. The visual image of the body becomes a site of contention where
various politics of identity, society, religion, sexuality and race come into being. This session will
discuss the ways in which visual images construct narratives of gender and form.
• Case studies: Caterine Opie, Sunil Gupta, Soumya S. Bose, etc.
Outcome -
1. Participants will be encouraged to actively participate in both workshops, bringing their work
and challenging their own understanding of representation in their work.
2. Participants can also submit a piece of work articulating their understanding of their work
after these workshops.
3. Development of a support system to share, discuss and debate each other’s work.
Ruchika Gurung
Ruchika Gurung is an educator from Kalimpong, who strongly champions
participatory and creative models of learning. She is currently a faculty member at Whistling Woods International, Mumbai. Having completed her doctoral degree in Film Studies at the University of East Anglia, she has since taught Media and Cultural Studies at East Anglia and Symbiosis International University. Also an alumni of Sophia College for Woman, she has also worked on numerous outreach and community based projects in India and England.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZER:
The Confluence Collective represents visual stories by photographers from the Hills of Darjeeling,Kalimpong and Sikkim. We aim to cultivate voices who document and engage with socio-political and personal transcendence in the region via multiple mediums of storytelling including exhibitions and publications.
FOR REGISTRATION
You will need to make a payment of ₹ 500/- to the bank account below, take a screenshot, and upload it to the form linked below. Once we receive the completed form, we will confirm your participation.