MGM Foundation x BEADS
OCO Residency Programme 2024
The curatorial vision of this programme aims to foster an inclusive cultural landscape that recognizes and celebrates the artistic value of craft. This edition focuses on the bell metal workers of Balakati near Bhubaneswar, a community with a rich heritage of metalworking that is deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of Odisha.
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A collaboration between
OCO Residency 2024 started on
8th August
MGM Foundation
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Residents list:
Ritaban Ghosh, Kirti Kumari, and Disharee Mathur
Bhubaneswar Experiment Art And Design Studio
Our Story
Odisha Craft Odyssey (OCO) is a collaborative programme between MGM Foundation and BEADS. The project envisions creating an inclusive cultural platform that highlights the craft practices of Odisha, challenging the conventional hierarchies between fine arts and crafts in South Asia.
Odisha Craft Odyssey
Tribal painting of Dongria Kondh from Niyamgiri
The Bell Metal Craft of Odisha
Metal crafts in Odisha boast a rich history, flourishing since the Ganga Dynasty in the 11th century and continuously developing to this day. The village of Balakati in Khordha district stands out for its traditional production of brass, bell-metal utensils, and temple articles. This craft is said to have truly taken root around 1400 AD.
Brass and bell metal, considered “pure” metals, are the primary materials for these utensils. Stepping into Balakati, you’ll be greeted by the rhythmic sounds of hammering and the focused energy of craftspeople.
