City-based Utsha Foundation for Contemporary Art has announced Manveer Singh as the winner for the “METIS Initiative on Plastics and Indo-Pacific Ocean 2021” Residency, which is being organised in collaboration with the French Development Agency (AFD).
Delhi based artist Manveer’s entry was selected from among 26 applicants. Manveer's project “From Plastic to Art” was selected by a two-tier jury comprising experts in the fields of art, environment and urban development. Eminent artist Pranati Panda, Arun Kumar HG and art historian Prof Pradosh Mishra were part of the initial screening while Bruno Bosle, Country Director, AFD, India; eminent artist and environmental campaigner Ravi Agarwal, Utsha managing trustee and eminent artist Jagannath Panda, climate action advocate Susmita Mohanty and architect Aadish Nargunde were members of the final jury. A grant of Rs 2 lakh would be offered to Manveer to develop an artistic response on the concept of plastics and ocean survival in the Odisha context.
The artwork creation would be located in Odisha and would be based on plastic waste to raise public awareness about recycling and the need to reduce consumption.
Currently, the AFD is funding the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS) Programme and Bhubaneswar through the Smart City Mission.