Today we’d like to introduce you to Argha Noah.
Argha Noah is an Atlanta-based artist run civic engagement platform that transforms unused urban spaces into pop-up showcases for innovation in art, music, education, recreation, and agriculture.
Each edition of Argha Noah advances a holistic, inclusive model of cultural and technological exchange that imparts both practical knowledge and creative sustenance to a host community.
In partnering with artists, city officials, and community stakeholders to create 21st century civic spaces, the Argha Noah model changes a region’s development narrative from one based on developer profits, expedience, and non-native interests to one that upholds health, sustainability, and access to the arts as fundamental urban utilities.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
In 2017, Argha Noah was granted Harp Transmission as the site of its first activation. A shuttered mechanic
shop steps away from historic Oakland Cemetery, King Memorial Marta Station, and over 20 new residential and commercial properties in varying stages of development.
Argha Noah x Harp Transmission, 90% donation based and open to the public was held from August 11th – December 10th, 2017. Highlights of Argha Noah x Harp Transmission included a group salon on “Repurposing objects into planters” led by Eugene Cooke, founder of Grow Where You Are, Ruth Dusseault’s screening & discussion on Earthships and utopia vs. dystopia, The Plate Sale’s Come To Dinner project, and 2016 Venice Biennale artist Bojana Ginn’s exhibition on fiber, light, and sequential projections.
Additional projects include: “Activate Positive Change” screening & design thinking workshop led by NYC based artists Luke Namer and Daniel Halper, a dance performance by Sunday Morning at 7, an international bazaar by Atlanta Underground Food Market, and a festival and fundraiser for disaster relief in Puerto Rico. The goals behind our work is to showcase the possibilities of urban space, and to cultivate inclusive environments for community discourse and collaboration.
In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
There are numerous challenges facing artists today, one challenge that has been historically difficult to overcome is lack of funding. Artists, specifically visual artists work in unique ways and depending on their medium, their choice of material can shape the contextual and tactical value of their work. In addition to lack of funding, artists have trouble finding dedicated studio space to flesh out their concepts. Obtaining a studio space that represents your thoughts, beliefs, and perspective is integral to the ideation and making phase of art practice.
By constructing more studio spaces in close proximity with each other, you’re able to build a stomping ground for participatory development. A metamorphosis of kinship, where artists and like minds can connect, collaborate, and share their ideas for future creations. Cultivating inclusive creative hubs that promote cultural exchange and social discourse can increase community awareness and the potential for innovative discoveries.
Art is an immortal practice, an omnipresent medium of expression that conjugates subjectivity and objectivity into a stream of intuitive actions. As technology advances, it is vital for artists to become familiar with fundamental software and machinery, because in the new burgeoning economy those who cannot learn from the machines will be replaced by the machines.
Our final piece of advice for artists would be to travel, research, and continue to share your creations with disparate communities, because these communal moments will bring you closer to yourself and help you understand the meaning behind your work.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
People can find highlights from Argha Noah Season 01 on our website, and you can find information on upcoming projects on Instagram: @argha_noah.
People can help support our work by volunteering for our events, donating to our causes, and submitting ideas for impactful collaborations.
Contact Info:
- Website: arghanoah.com
- Email: info@arghanoah.com
- Instagram: @argha_noah
- Facebook: argha noah
Image Credit:
Ben Wills
Brandon Polack
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