Art-Flow Walls '23

Welcome to Art-Flow Movement’s second community art project Art-Flow Walls 2023. After the fun filled happening of AFM#1, Art-Flow Book ‘22  from September to December 2022, we are thrilled to invite more people of Hyderabad to come together and collaborate on a unique public art project that will explore the importance of equity, inclusion, and social justice. This project is an opportunity to create a visual representation of our community’s commitment to creating a more equitable and just society, where everyone is valued and respected, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or ability. We believe that community art has the power to raise awareness, promote dialogue, and inspire positive change, and we are excited to work with local artists, community organizations, and volunteers to bring this vision to life. Through this project, we hope to spark conversations about equity and inclusion, and to create a space where everyone can feel seen, heard, and celebrated. So, whether you’re an experienced artist or just starting out, we welcome your participation and look forward to working together to create something truly impactful and meaningful.

AFM#2 is scheduled to happen during 23rd April to 9th July 2023. The main theme of the project is ‘Embrace Equity’, which is also an official theme of International Women’s Day for this year. ‘Tribute to the Feminine’ and’ Femininity in me’ are other two related optional themes. In this project 12 walls will be painted by 12 teams of artists who meet, discuss and collaborate on 12 weekends at different AFM studios in Hyderabad. And that’s not all, an anthology book with the art, poetry, and documentation of the discussions of the themes will be published too.

Art will be documented, photographed, exhibited and the prints will be sold at AFM events and art festivals. Each team will have 4 people, an artist, a writer, an assistant writer and an assistant artist. The revenue generated through the sales of art and books will be shared among the main artists and writers.

AFM is collecting the walls from the people of the city. It can be from the residences, offices, cafes, institutions and public places. AFM is also asking the art community of Hyderabad to donate the paints and art supplies for the project. AFM is a completely independent community art platform and it doesn’t accept any sponsorships. It runs on the revenue it generates through its inventory of community art. The minimal application fees it collects from the projects will be used for AFM meets, events, exhibitions, book launches and promotions.

Theme

Main Theme: Embrace Equity

Embrace Equity is a concept that refers to the intentional and proactive effort to create a more equitable society. Equity is the idea that everyone should have access to the same opportunities, resources, and privileges regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, or any other characteristic. Embracing equity involves recognizing and addressing systemic inequalities and working to create a more just and fair society. This can involve a range of actions, including advocating for policy changes, supporting marginalized communities, and challenging personal biases and prejudices.

The goal of embracing equity is to create a world in which everyone has an equal chance to thrive and succeed.

Theme 2: Tribute to the Feminine

The purpose of this tribute is to honor and celebrate the accomplishments, sacrifices, and contributions of the woman, as well as to acknowledge the importance of female role models and mentors in one’s life. By recognizing and honoring the important women in our lives, we can help to create a more supportive and empowering environment for women and girls, and encourage others to do the same. This may also serve as an opportunity to reflect on the ways in which the woman’s influence has shaped one’s values, beliefs, and experiences.

This could be a mother, grandmother, sister, wife, girlfriend, friend, mentor, or any other important woman who has played a significant role in your life.

The goal of a tribute is to recognize and celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of the woman in question and to show her that she is valued and respected.

Theme 3: Femininity in me

Everyone has both masculine and feminine traits or qualities within them, regardless of their gender identity or biological sex. This concept is often referred to as “psychological androgyny.” Some commonly recognized feminine traits include empathy, nurturing, sensitivity, compassion, gracefulness, and emotional expressiveness. The significance of feminine traits in one’s life lies in their ability to build strong relationships, enhance emotional intelligence, develop resilience, encourage creativity and self-expression.

By embracing their feminine traits, individuals can lead more fulfilling and meaningful lives, both personally and in their relationships with others.

Roles

The Artist

The role of a wall artist is to create a cohesive and meaningful design that aligns with the chosen theme.

Specific responsibilities:

  1. Researching & discussing the theme: The wall artist and their team must thoroughly research the chosen theme to understand its history, cultural significance, and key symbols or imagery associated with it.
  2. Creating a concept: Based on the research, the wall artist must develop a concept for the mural that incorporates the theme and expresses it in a creative and impactful way.
  3. Developing the design: Once the concept is established, the wall artist must create a detailed design that incorporates all elements of the theme and fits the space and size of the wall.
  4. Collaborating with others: Wall artists will work with a team of assistants or volunteers to complete the mural. They must be able to communicate effectively and work collaboratively to ensure the project is a success.
  5. Creating the mural: Using the design as a guide, the wall artist must paint the mural, paying close attention to details and ensuring that the theme is accurately and artfully represented.

All rights of the artwork will be owned by artist, they will be credited and the revenue generated through the project will be shared for lifetime.

The Writer

The role of a writer is to develop a clear and compelling concept in collaboration with the artist that guides the creation of the artwork. The teams are expected to write 3 poems in the themes of the project which will be part of the book.

Specific responsibilities:

  1. Researching & discussing the topic: The writer must thoroughly research the theme chosen by their team.
  2. Developing the concept: Based on the research, the writer and the artist must develop a clear and compelling concept for the artwork that aligns with the theme. This may involve developing a storyline, creating a narrative, or exploring different sub-themes.
  3. Writing the proposal: Once the concept is established, the writers must create a proposal that outlines the vision for the artwork, including the concept, materials, budget, and timeline.
  4. Communicating with the artist: The writer must work closely with the artist to ensure that the concept is effectively translated into the artwork. This may involve providing feedback on sketches, discussing the meaning of certain elements, or refining the overall vision.
  5. Writing the poems and artist statement: Once the artwork is complete, the writer must create an artist statement that explains the concept behind the artwork and provides context for the audience. The statement must effectively communicate the meaning of the artwork and inspire the audience to engage with it.

All rights of their writing will be owned by the writer, they will be credited and the revenue generated through the project will be shared for lifetime.

Assistant Artist

The role of an assistant wall artist is to support the lead wall artist in creating a beautiful and meaningful piece of art that accurately and creatively represents the chosen theme.

Specific responsibilities:

  1. Assisting with research: The assistant wall artist may assist the lead artist with researching the chosen theme, including its history, cultural significance, and key symbols or imagery associated with it.
  2. Supporting the development of the concept: The assistant wall artist may provide input and feedback on the development of the concept, offering ideas or suggestions for how to creatively represent the theme.
  3. Preparing materials: The assistant wall artist may be responsible for preparing the materials needed for the mural, such as mixing paint, filling containers, or organizing brushes.
  4. Painting: The assistant wall artist may assist with the actual painting of the mural, including filling in large areas, creating outlines, or adding details.
  5. Clean-up: The assistant wall artist may assist with clean-up after the mural is complete, including washing brushes, cleaning up paint spills, or disposing of materials.

Assistant artists will be credited for their contributions. Art workshops in the projects are exclusively designed for them. Any revenue generated through the projects will not be shared with them.

Important Dates

19th March, Sunday – Applications open for all roles of the project.

19th April, Wednesday – Last day to apply.

23rd April, Sunday – All  the selected artists meet at a public venue where the 12 teams (grouped based on application forms) will be announced. Project begins on this day and the teams meet on weekends at AFM studios to discuss and work.

9th July, Sunday – Last weekend meet of the project.

20th May, Saturday – Embrace Equity Campaign begins.

4rth June, Sunday – AFM Rangmanch #1 Campaign edition

5th August, Saturday – Art Exhibition & Book Launch

Embrace Equity Campaign