BBB VISION
Bengal Boston Bridge (BBB) exists to push the boundaries of human knowledge by integrating artistic, scientific, and cross-curricular innovation.¹
About his vision, BBB Founder Dr. Ujjal Sarkar explains, “The human mind is astounding in its beauty, complexity, and ability to ‘connect the dots’ between seemingly unrelated ideas and, in doing so, advance human knowledge and understanding.” In his view, the Arts and Sciences should no longer be viewed as distinct and disparate disciplines but as complementary conduits of imagination and innovation. Through BBB, Dr. Sarkar hopes to create a crucible of creativity, bringing together individuals from around the globe to exchange ideas and manifest new ways of thinking. “Our goal is to propel innovation and awareness,” Dr. Sarkar says. “By bridging cultures and continents, we hope to further ‘connect the dots’ and bring greater prosperity and productivity to our communities and our world.“²
Foreword
Ujjal Sarkar PhD is a scientist and a philanthropist who loves art. Between 2015 and 2020, Ujjal enrolled his daughter, Uma, and his son, Aum, in art enrichment classes taught by artist and educator Talin Megherian. Uma’s positive experience in the art class sparked something in Ujjal, and he later enrolled in a one-day adult workshop with Talin in 2017. Ujjal enjoyed taking the workshop, creating artwork, and as he pointed out to Talin, “Artmaking is such a mind-bending experience!” In March 2022, Ujall saw Van Gogh Boston Exhibit: The Immersive Experience, which affected him deeply. “Creativity,” he realized, “has tremendous connective power.” His combined experiences with art were so positive that he began imagining an art show but did not know why or for what purpose. In late March or early April of 2022, Ujjal committed to creating an opportunity for an art show and booked exhibition spaces at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kolkata, India, for January 2023. Let me stress this point; Ujjal booked exhibition space before having any concrete plans. Everything was unconnected, yet he took a leap of faith and moved forward on his gut feeling.
In April 2022, Ujjal asked Talin if she could curate the show. Talin initially declined, pointing out that while she “could certainly select artwork for a show if works were laid out” for her to choose between, she pointed out, however, “I don’t have any logistical experience to assemble a show.” Ujjal was persistent and enquired again a couple of weeks later, saying, “I really need help!“
In late April 2022, my life partner, Talin Megherian, asked me if I would be willing to consult with Ujjal Sarkar about a curatorial project; “Ujjal wants to have an exhibition in Kolkata, India, about art and science, and he needs curatorial advice.” Ujjal sought professional guidance because he did not know how to create an art exhibition; as a scientist, he “had no idea where to begin.” Talin suggested me because I founded the Thompson Gallery at The Cambridge School of Weston (Weston, MA) in 2006 and have lots of experience putting shows together.
I agreed to meet with Ujjal over a Zoom call, and we first discussed the possibilities on May 14. What became apparent early in that first meeting was that we shared a great many connections, passions, and aspirations. During that conversation, I recalled Harold Taylor’s Art and the Intellect, which I read in 1985, and which seemed to echo our discussion in many ways. We discussed how “scientists and artists must be passionate, driven, and steadfast; nothing is ever bridged without these human powers.” I proposed a show that could be “titled after a synapse—a shared human form of connection that is not governed by any curricular discipline.” We were giddy with laughter and excitement even in the first few minutes of talking. It seemed we had already been lifelong friends and not total strangers. By the end of our first conversation, I found myself taking on the challenge of running an international call for art.
As 2022 comes to a close, I reflect on how it was possible to bring a show like this together in just over six months. I am grateful to Kolaj Magazine for promoting the call and inviting me to present the call at Kolaj Fest (New Orleans, LA) in late June 2022. The call went live in early July. We received 107 applicants and 277 individual submissions of art. Ultimately, we selected 61 artists’ works to showcase the call. The BBB invited the curators to exhibit their work bringing the total to 64, about which we are thankful and feel honored to participate.
I want to acknowledge several people for their contributions, without which our project would not exist. Above all, none of what transpired from May to December could have been possible without the vision, gifts, and dedication of Ujjal Sarkar and the group he founded, Bengal Boston Bridge (BBB). I am deeply thankful to the BBB for tending to myriad logistical problems compounded by the remote locations of principal members to bring this exhibition into being.
Moreover, I am deeply moved by the generosity of the BBB to bring Talin Megherian and me to Kolkata to see Unconnected Yet firsthand and to experience the beauty and splendor of India directly. We thank our hosts, Somenath Maity (Kolkata) and Subrata Boral (Bankura), for their warm and open welcome, generosity, and the beautiful human spirit they embody. We are sure the experience of traveling to India will inspire many things not yet imagined.
Two artists in the exhibition offered to help me of their own accord, for which I am most appreciative. I am grateful to Scott Groeniger, Associate Professor of Digital Imaging at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, and Rosemary Connelly, MFA candidate, for their contributions in setting up all the digital files for printing. (We printed all the work in Unconnected Yet to alleviate shipping costs worldwide to India.) Scott’s professional expertise proved invaluable for me as the overseer of the printing process for the exhibition. The BBB, the artists, and the curators involved with this exhibition are indebted to allison anne, who generously provided us with Webhosting for the virtual counterpart of Unconnected Yet. allison anne, one of the founders of Twin Cities Collage Collective (TCCC), offered to host Unconnected Yet, the virtual exhibition on the TCCC website. allison loaded the entire show, which, I will point out, is no small feat! The show is available on the Web because of allison’s tireless dedication.
The collective generosity of everyone’s participation and expertise helped to transform Ujjal’s vision into a tangible reality. I hope our visitors and readers will carry forward this inspiring, hopeful, and connective spirit to other unconnected possibilities.
Todd Bartel
Watertown, MA
December 31, 2022
- Unconnected Yet Prospectus, 2022
- Unconnected Yet Prospectus, 2022
Foreword
Unconnected Yet – Lorne
A hub for creative and cultural endeavors, Lorne Community Connect is situated on the Great Ocean Road, set against the backdrop of the Otway Ranges rainforests in Lorne, Australia. Lorne Community Connect, formerly The Senior Citizens Centre, as the name change suggests, underwent a change in identity with the purpose of securing its survival as a community facility into the millennium. The shift of name and focus meant the precinct could now become an inclusive space for people of all ages to learn and create together. The hub was already home to a lively assortment of creative activities and groups, from craft circles to local theatre, book launches, and art shows, amongst providing a place for local groups to hold meetings. As part of the planned expansion of Lorne Community Connect as an arts and cultural space, LCC appointed resident artist Meaghan Shelton in 2022 with the support of the Surf Coast Shire Covid Recovery Grant to create a pilot residency from which to establish an ongoing artist in residence program here in Lorne. The Council established the Creative Communities Fund in recognition of the impact of the pandemic on the arts and cultural sector. The aim of the fund is to rejuvenate and strengthen the sector by leveraging recovery activities to build and strengthen the creative sector and, at the same time, bolster community connection and well-being recovery through engagement in the arts and creative activity. Along with the Artist Residency, LCC now offers opportunities for both emerging and established artists to exhibit in a supportive, professional exhibition space in a community environment to gain experience in exhibiting their work, run workshops, and invite dialogue. The vision of Lorne Community Connect is to maintain a vibrant, creative, and culturally diverse centre that supports creative projects in our region through inclusiveness and innovation. LCC is both proud and excited to offer itself as a platform for the Lorne iteration of Unconnected Yet.
Lorne Community Connect, Bengal Boston Bridge, Unconnected Yet curators and artists would like to acknowledge and appreciate artist and curator Natasha Narain’s vision to bring the Kolkata show to Australia by hand carrying all the prints from New Delhi, India. The prints were carefully packed by Anjan Coomar in Kolkata and couriered to New Delhi to begin their long journey to Brisbane-Meanjin and then to Lorne. We are equally appreciative of the Lorne Community Connect and its members who have warmly welcomed the show, the artists who have joined us from Australia, and co-curator Meaghan Shelton for her selfless commitment to “Unconnected Yet.”