Bringing Marginal Histories to the Fore: The Mission of Constructing Personal Archives
BENGALURU – Ishita Shah, co-curator of the Constructing Personal Archives (CPA) program, seeks to bring visibility to overlooked histories. The six-month incubation program, starting its third edition on September 14, encourages archiving projects of all kinds, from personal records to community narratives. Shah, also the founder of Curating for Culture, emphasizes the importance of including personal histories in mainstream narratives, countering the traditionally patriarchal and elitist perspectives of recorded history.
Originating during the COVID-19 pandemic, CPA began as a series of online workshops on family archiving. The overwhelming interest led Shah to develop a more extended program, which launched in June 2020 with minimal eligibility requirements, focusing solely on the availability of archival material. Over two editions, CPA has incubated 36 archival projects across South Asia.
The upcoming CPA 2024 edition, co-curated with various organizations, including Past Perfect: Heritage Management Company (Mumbai) and The Northeast India AV Archive (Shillong), comprises weekend workshops, internal mentoring, and public dialogues. These activities are tailored to participants’ project needs, fostering an inclusive and immersive archiving practice.
Radhika Hegde, curator at the S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum and past CPA participant, credits the program for inspiring a deeper exploration of her family history and enriching her professional practice by integrating oral and micro-histories into the historical narrative.
Shah’s fascination with history began in Ahmedabad, influencing her aesthetic sensibilities and professional path. With academic credentials from CEPT University and The Bartlett School of Architecture, she established India’s first architectural archive at CEPT. Transitioning to independent work, Shah founded Curating for Culture in 2020, a collective focused on making cultural preservation more accessible.
Dedicated to illuminating marginalized stories, Shah’s work advocates for the political power of micro-histories, challenging mainstream narratives while fostering cultural responsibility and empathy. The next cycle of CPA invites participants to apply by September 7, 2024, via info@curatingforculture.com.
For more information on this transformative archiving initiative, visit Curating for Culture.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/bringing-marginalised-histories-to-the-forefront-through-personal-archives/article68580415.ece
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