Isha's blog

“ WHAT CONSUMES YOUR MIND, CONTROLS YOUR LIFE”, this is thought that crosses my mind every time I happen to pass by our very own The Reclining Thinker. Personally, my favourite landmark on our campus.

The Thinker is seen rising magnanimously from the green grass outside the Olscamp hall, the all metal structure is strikingly different from otherwise the bland monotonous building around the campus. It sits there deep in thought, forelone eyes gazing into oblivion, searching for what answers , no one knows. It is oblivious to the flurry , the winds , heat and the snow that surrounds it during the winters. It sits guard outside the Hall ,patiently waiting…endlessly. One thought always intrigues me , what would have run in the unmentioned artists mind while conceptualizing this statue, it bears such a thoughtful look that it would have indeed be worth knowing the frame of mind of its artist.
As for me when ever I happen to cross Mr Thinker..I whisper “Penny for your Thoughts” to him. The position which the contemplative figure finds himself in is one of deep thought and concentration. The arched back and curled hand resting under the chin are signs of study that would have been hard to capture were this figure standing up. This also allows for the figure’s muscular back and broad shoulders to be fully defined, the powerful physique of the sitter reflecting the high esteem. The mood of this piece is one of calm. The very human emotion of The Thinker which may go some way as to explain how this piece became one of the artist’s most famous works.

I think that this monument aptly describes the ideology That BGSU works upon, We all are encouraged to do our share by thinking out of the box , coming out with something new and exciting in their respective fields In the end we are to endure our constrains of cultural difference and stand to the difficulties and pave our path to our bright future with this unshakable Thinker as our guiding angel …….

Black Swamp Arts Festival (BSAF)

It’s final!, after months of applications, paperwork – It was decided I shall be attending BGSU in Ohio, Naturally I was excited about the prospect of whole new country , environment ,  culture  and my curiosity about the place . I read about the courses and people on the internet.

One thing that struck me was “black Swamp Art Festival ’’ labelled the best Juried Show Award in 2012, “Ohio’s best Art festival’’ etc.And now I find myself being a part of this twenty second   annual Black swamp festival.

One expression that came to me at the first sight Gosh!! What a riot of color on a bright sunny day ……. The storm last night cooled the day a bit….a perfect day to spend a Sunday afternoon as I did. As far as I could see, there was all… pottery, painters, illustrators, photography and none the less Music!

A paper cutting artist sat amidst her scissor cuts , till then I came upon a display of some breathtaking paintings of wild life , the tigers looked real enough to take a leisurely walk . The kids were seen enjoying    the pony rides and also that children’s corner to keep them busy into something creative.

Another pottery maker has everything from bowls, honey pots and so many handy crafts items.

Last but not the least , I would call it a “chalk walk’’, students created a paint art displayed in the middle of the street , for the kids to go around on their bicycle  and create beautiful color patterns with paints on the tires.

Huge skilled, random, drawings.. It was a awesome sight. ( I wish I were a kid)!

Finally after the visual treat my eyes enjoyed, it was time to get back, blissfully lazy after that relaxed afternoon walk, being a part of some amazing music and creativity … I believe the festival lives up to its name . I pledge to be a part of it  the next time too. 

My most prized possession would surely be a hardy, spiny, green cycuspotted plant. This plant is like a sibling to me. We have practically grown up together. Looking back I feel it has been my mate since I was a little girl.

I remember when we had recently shifted into our new bigger house that had both, front lawn and a kitchen garden in the backyard. I had yet not made friends in the neighborhood and so I spent most of my timeindoors, my parents gave into my pestering for bringing home a pup.

One day my mother came home with a small potted plant, A “Cycus” .She asked me to take care of it and water it from time to time, now I know it was to inculcate.

I sense of responsibility in me. In a couple of days I had to rescue thisplant whom I named as ‘Spiky’ , our pup who decided to explore spiky’sroots . I brought spiky in the family room and propped it onto a high chair closest to the window, the chair that spiky gracefully occupied for many years to come , saving a visit to the garden once in a couple of months . Since then spiky has been a part of all our family discussions,aspirations, decisions, festivals and functions. It was a mute spectator toeverything in that room, if ever we kept it out for a day or two, everyone would start complaining about that corner looking very vacant and so there was spiky back into the room .As I grew up , so did spiky , each whorl of leaves like the years I added to myself , as I grew taller , so did it .

This plant is really special to me not only because it was gifted to me by my mother, with an aim of making me grow up into a responsible and caring individual (that I learned for sure!),but also because it has been a constant companion in my growing years.

I took care of it time to time, watering it, taking it out in the sunlight,carefully planting the bulbs out that grew around it. I feel spiky has been a part of our family .When I finally move on in my life and into my own place , it would be my treasure to carry with me , so that it can be a reminder of the home that I grew up in…..