What Makes Me Click!
Presentation of Photography Design by Grade 11 Learners at Chennai Photo Biennale by Priyanka Oberoi, Facilitator - Digital Media and Design
The Chennai Photo Biennale is a renowned international photography festival held bi-annually in Chennai, India.
Showcasing a diverse range of contemporary, historical, and experimental photography, the Biennale transforms the city into a vibrant exhibition space.
This year's fourth edition featured four primary shows, including 'Love and Light: A Site of Infinite Possibilities', 'CPB4 Open Call Showcase', and 'Alt:Analog', alongside eight invite-only exhibitions.
A key highlight of the Biennale was ‘What Makes Me Click!’, an exhibition showcasing 20 photography projects by children from around the world. Designed by The Architecture Story and curated by the CPB Foundation and the Children's Photography Archive, "What Makes Me Click!" provided a platform for young photographers to share their unique perspectives.
Our Learners had applied to the same through an open call and had the privilege to be selected for displaying their work in this exhibition, which featured works from India, UK, Turkey, Guatemala, South Africa, Cambodia, and Gaza.
The Process
At Prakriti we teach Digital Media and Design in Grade 11 & 12, of which Photography is a key part. CPB enabled our learners to explore the subject through experiential learning.
The process of conceptualizing the final product was a collaborative effort, with learners actively participating in brainstorming sessions and creating mind maps to explore their individual areas of focus. Prompts like "what makes me click" elicited a diverse range of responses, from coffee and biology to exaggerated expressions through cartoons and mecha. Learners actively shared their ideas and provided feedback on each other's work, leading to a rich and dynamic exchange of perspectives. This collaborative process, guided by teachers and mentors, helped to narrow down the focus and shape the final exhibition..
Given below are the base portraits which acted as a canvas for further creations (shown above).
At the 'What Makes Me Click!' exhibition, our learners showcased a diverse array of projects, reflecting their unique interests and perspectives.
For instance, Urvi, inspired by Renaissance artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo, created portraits using fruits and vegetables to form grotesque faces. Dhairya explored the concept of pH levels, categorizing people based on their drink preferences and visually representing them using a color-coded pH scale. Vaani, fascinated by cartoons and animation, exaggerated facial expressions using acrylics and precision pens to create a playful and dynamic effect. Gurmehar, inspired by the world of mecha, incorporated cybernetic elements into his portraits, exploring themes of technology and human connection. Finally, Raya delved into the concept of the "Looking Glass Self," exploring the fluidity of identity in the digital age through layered portraits and abstract lines, reflecting the influence of social media and external perceptions on self-image.
The leaners presented their art and the journey behind at Artist Talk.
Please click/tap on the image below to view the entire presentation by the learners during the event (Swipe left/right to go next/previous; pinch in/out to zoom in/out)
At the Chennai Photo Biennale (CPB), our learners had the unique opportunity to meet renowned photographers Sunil Gupta and Anna Fox. Furthermore, they participated in enriching workshops where they gained valuable hands-on experience in developing photographs from film reels. Finally they were on stage to discuss their journey and creation to an artist and professional audience.
A Real life 3D model of the final product put on display at Ergmore, Chennai:
The Chennai Photo Biennale provided an invaluable platform for our Grade 11 learners. Through experiential learning, they not only honed their artistic skills but also developed crucial life skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, and self-expression. This experience has undoubtedly instilled in them a deeper appreciation for photography and a newfound confidence in their creative abilities.
I want to applaud the remarkable teamwork and dedication displayed by Urvi Trisha, Dhairya Jain, Vaani Saikia, Gurmeher Romana, Avni Sharma, and Raya Sen. Their collaborative efforts have resulted in this impressive exhibition.