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This movement in India is being spearheaded by a new initiative, Indian Museums Against Climate Change. It was launched by ReReeti, a Bengaluru-based non profit organisation. It brings together eight museums across the country to work for this cause.
In my 20s, I was a solo traveller and navigated the beautiful countries of Spain & Portugal. One afternoon that stands out to me is when I visited the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia in Madrid. I vividly remember balking at the horrors of war in Picasso’s Guernica, feeling startled and moved in equal measure by the stark imagery of Dali’s works, and intrigued by the underlying message of Miro’s abstract forms. Closer to home, I remember a pre-pandemic visit to the National Museum, New Delhi, where an exhibit explored the dietary practices and lifestyles of the Indus Valley people from millions of years back. These museum visits – one the highlight of a coming-of-age trip and the other a lesson in history – are a testament to the influence that museums wield on people.
A museum is many things – a repository of artistic and cultural artefacts, a medium of imparting education, a place where history is preserved, and perhaps most importantly, a tool for instigating change through its widespread reach. Therefore, when it comes to spreading the message on the planet’s biggest crisis – climate change – it is museums that must lead the way. This movement is being spearheaded by Indian Museums Against Climate Change.
ReReeti in Bengaluru launched the initiative, which brings together eight museums from across India to work for the same cause. “IMACC is the organization’s attempt at making the Indian museum sector cleaner, greener and more sustainable. IMACC is the Indian local hub of Culture Declares Emergency, which is a growing global movement of people in arts and culture who believe that the cultural sector can take the lead in creating a regenerative future that protects the planet,” explains Tejshvi Jain, Founder-Director of ReReeti Foundation.
This organisation has been working with museums and cultural institutions since its inception in 2015. Their team aims to empower museums to achieve their full potential, no matter if they are just starting or have been around for a while.
ReReeti decided to focus its latest project on the climate crisis affecting humans and their environment. ReReeti’s programme aims to address this crisis by working closely with museums to implement a three step approach as a way to reduce the impact of our collective actions. Jain explains these three points as, “We work with museums to guide them in exploring climate change through their collections and the histories they tell. Museums will declare the ways in which they are fighting climate change through practices within the organization’s operations. We also work with museums to support their institutional initiatives, such as capacity-building workshops for museum staff to train them in climate change mitigation. Further, we have already hosted our first quarterly meetup with the museums to evaluate IMACC’s progress and discuss the next steps. We will do what is possible to enable dialogue and expression amidst our communities about how the emergency will affect them and the changes that are needed.”
As a pilot project, eight museums were selected to participate in the initiative. These included Arna Jharna (Jodhpur), Dakshina Chitra Heritage Museum Chennai, Indian Music Experience (Bengaluru), Kiran Nadar Museum of Art and Delhi, Kerala Museum and Kochi, Museum of Art and Photography Bengaluru and Museum of Christian Art and Goa, and Museo Camera Gurugram.
ReReeti used surveys and deep scrutiny to choose the museums that would take part in the initiative. The key factor in selecting the museums was responsive leadership that was open to new and radical approaches. However, they did not have to be convinced of its merits. The second factor was that the team wanted to include representation from all parts of the country. They also wanted to work closely with museums that showcased a diversity through their collections in order to spread the message in a variety ways and create a richer overall experience.
They are also validated by representatives from the museums. Akansha Rastogi, Senior Curator at the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) says, “Being part of the IMACC movement is a priority for us at the KNMA. Together with artists, visitors, and other museums, we want to think about sustainability and energy orbits around museums and arts. We also want to be in a position to use artistic expressions to raise awareness about the climate crisis. Towards this goal, KNMA will soon be launching our first book titled ‘Museum and Sustainability’ led by artist and environmentalist Ravi Agarwal and our curatorial team. This book is meant to be used as a guide and invitation to all museum-goers. This summer, we are also working towards developing engagement modules in relation to museum collection and climate change stories.”
While the KNMA is preparing for its first project in 2019, other museums are also taking their responsibility seriously. On April 6, all eight museums took part in ReReeti’s first quarterly workshop held on Zoom. Called ‘Putting an Eco-lens on Museum Collections’, it was facilitated by the Climate Museum in the UK. The workshop encouraged participants to examine their objects more closely and discover connections with the climate crisis. These connections may not be apparent at first glance.
Jain explains, “At regular intervals, each museum will be posting something from their collection which talks about sustainability through the objects on display. We are overwhelmed at the incredible response we have received so quickly. Although we expected museums to take some time to adjust to this major change, many are eager to go. The Indian Music Experience (IME) in Bengaluru has rolled out its first exhibition dedicated to the cause.” This exhibit highlights aspects of ecology by focussing on birdsongs shown through musical instruments inspired by birds, audio-visual kiosks showcasing bird calls, and graphic panels. Jain is pleased to see museums being able to take control and act as instruments of change. “We become a stronger voice when we work together,” she asserts.
Although climate change is a serious concern worldwide, it remains a serious issue in India. Art and culture are probably the best mediums to achieve lasting acceptance within society. As India is an incredibly complex country of many diversities, the IMACC initiative of ReReeti through its eight participant museums – all of which have distinctive artistic sensibilities and varied target audiences – hopes to translate this commitment into reality in the most widespread and attractive manner.
Noor Anand Chawla writes lifestyle articles for various publications as well as her blog www.nooranandchawla.com. You can reach her at [email protected]
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