印度社群藝術交流 計劃 Ability & Disadvantaged Children Workshop – Art in Residence programme
Dec.16-21,2006, Greater Noida, India
「全人藝動」剛於2006年12月前往印度新德里，應當地一國際社會服務機構–新德里基督教青年會 (Greater Noida Programme Centre, New Delhi YMCA) 的邀請，為不同階層的青少年人舉辦名為「許願樹」的社群藝術交流計劃。
是次計劃運用了基本的藝術技巧，再設計成他們易於掌握的音樂、舞蹈、戲劇、視覺藝術等活動，最後以大匯演形式，讓不同或貧或富的社群通過藝術的探索了解自我、發掘各自的潛能、學懂互相欣賞、共同合作、達至和諧，並與更廣大的群眾共分享他們的學習成果。
香港「全人藝動」一行七人前往印度新德里市郊Greater Noida，與當地一班大專生及不同藝術媒介工作者，為不同家庭經濟背景的兒童舉辦藝術工作坊，共同創作視覺藝術、大型雕塑等裝置活動、及音樂舞蹈戲劇匯演。計劃總結演出當日，更請來當地同類型的社區機構出席欣賞，一同分享社區共融的藝術成果，?少年人真誠的演譯和創作更帶動了在場觀眾一同投入共舞！
「許願樹」不單讓當地青少年發揮創作潛能，更讓他們相信每一個人都可以享受藝術。在短短七天中，他們以不同的藝術媒界互相鼓勵、在音樂劇中、他們演、舞、唱及繪畫出『願望』的訊息。在失落或夢想幻滅的同時、會有另一扇窗戶為他們打開、有更美好的成果等待?他們去尋索，互相扶持、共建美麗家園。他們的創作都叫導師及當地的義工們喜出望外，所表達內容更打動了一班正在栽培他們的「大人」。
是次的藝術交流活動對香港年輕的藝術工作者來說，正好提供了難得的學習機會，讓他們親身了解不同的文化、民族與藝術千絲萬縷的密切關係。
香港藝術家們返港後舉辦經驗分享會。當中有活動片段的錄像播放，更有計劃參加者的現場分享座談會，將是次交流計劃的珍貴成果結集，與同樣有心志推動藝術的藝術工作者深入探討社區藝術對個人和社會的價值和影響，積極發揚藝術的多功能，讓藝術變得更生活化、更貼近民生。
“There are children in the world;
Who have never known the Joy
Of a Christmas full of cheers;
Although Santa does his best
To make all the children smile;
Sometimes grown ups just forget
Christmas started with the child!”
These lines sung by the children of Fr. Agnel Balbhawan summarize the aim and message of the just concluded Ability & Disadvantaged Children Workshop – Art-in-Residence Programme entitled, “Hope-The Wishing Tree,”organised by the YMCA Greater Noida Programme Centre from 16 – 20 December, 2006.
The workshop was conducted in association with Art for All, Hong Kong (a Charitable Community Art Organization) for the disadvantaged children drawn from Fr. Agnel Balbhavan, Udayan Care, Savera Welfare School, and other institutions such as Somerville School, Delhi Public School, APJ International, Vishwa Bharti School, and Ursuline Convent. Some senior students of Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH) also participated and helped in the various workshops. Powerful and emotional concluding musical performance by and for the children was the outcome of parallel workshops conducted by artists in visuals, dance, dramatics and music. It depicted the dreams and resolution of nearly 120 participating students as they pledged to work for the fulfillment of their dreams both big and small and good of the children in need. The workshop started with an introductory musical presentation about the dreams of Three Trees and what they eventually became after they were chopped. It succeeded in bringing the different groups of children together. There were some tender and lighter moments as grown-up students helped the smaller children in more than many ways. Also, there were visible signs of appreciation of each other’s manifold talents. Above all the artists from Hong Kong were extremely popular. Thank-you cards and those for safe-travel were extended. Addresses were exchanged, and new friends were made!
The final mini-performance was a delight! The four workshops were blended together to create one mural with a strong message of unison, love for each other and to treasure and cherish the experience of being together. The dance and music created by the participant themselves was so moving that everybody participated with passion- the participants, teachers, parents and guests and all those who steered this unique workshop including Ms. Evelyna Liang Kan, Art Consultant and Director, Art for All, other Hong Kong artists Wylie So , Bon (Dance), Patrick (Art), Chuen Ho (Music), and T.Y. Yeung and Jerry(Dramatics), and local resource persons.
Support was extended by Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority, Surya Food & Agro limited (Priyagold), DS Group, and Birla Institute of Management Technology.
We, in the YMCA were optimistic from the beginning that this event will not only make the participants, resource artists and facilitators feel that they have contributed to something noble, but will set a wave of consciousness in our community on the aspiration and challenges of disadvantaged children.
Hopefully, it did! What better Christmas present can we give to our community?
Harold Williams
Executive Director
YMCA Greater Noida Programme Centre
全人藝動 Art for All 