This journey began since the first scratch on the soft soil by the ancient artists of this fertile land. By using their fingers and nature as an inspiration, they transformed the mud into marvelous pieces. Thus, began the convoy of this artistic journey with nature. This thesis project was done by Muhammad Shafayet Hossain from Department of Architecture, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology. The Supervisor for the thesis was Ar. Kawshik Saha and the studio masters were Ar. K. Taufiq Elahi, Ar. Shamsul Arefin, Ar. Rezwan Sobhan
The most ancient evidence of Bengal art was a piece of porcelain, found in ‘PandurajarDibi’ during 300 BC. However, this journey began days before the Aryan period. The patronization of Maurya empires, integrating skill of Sunga dynasty to Pala’s, influence of Persian art through Sultanate period and the essence of Hinduism gave a shape which had gained a style during Murshidabad period. The dominating character of colonial style boosted the artists to show their very own style.
Nature always purifies the sense and influences the tune of artworks. Influences from nature not only shape all forms of art but also give a unique lifestyle of this land. Celebration of nature, lifestyle of people and the mesmerizing stories became the inspiration for the artists here.
Description of journey:
When a person observes an artwork, there are some stages towards understanding the essence of it. Firstly, we isolate our mind from other things which is expressed in the entrance of the site by a curved wall.
Then a guided way through trees creates a buffer from chaos to tranquility. We engage in the depth of artworks via stairway through the first exhibition gallery below. The multipurpose hall represents the thinking process and the visual and other galleries become the representation of the mesmerizing memories of that artwork.
From the exhibition area a straight ramp guides towards the central gathering space. Another circular ramp, started from the ground towards an enclosed space, reminds the visitor about the significance of upholding our own art. The space beneath this ramp will guide the visitor to interact with nature. Inside the central space, there is another circular ramp that starts at the previous circular ramp which is inspired from the dancing posture of twisting circles representing the current time, and the inner space is an expression of primitive essence with natural light inside. Light beaming through small holes of the wall will remind the visitor the joy of celebrating natural light.
A shaded studio for artists will help them to enjoy the natural view of the site and residential buildings for artists will give them a tranquil space to practice art, facilitated by a library, meeting terrace and lobby spaces.
Most of the design approach of this project is to keep architecture humble and merged with the context to get the essence of Bengal art through spaces by using rational materials and construction to make a hub for the upcoming generation.
