In the next day or two, I'll post an illustrated essay about my visit to meet the creative, environmental group Pugai Pudam that organized an energetic project about the air pollution in Chennai.
I want to thank all the people who came to the Open Studio prior to the trip. I had the flight generously covered by EcoArts Connections in Boulder, and the studio sales helped to make my trip possible. I am forever grateful for that.
The Chennai Card that you see here was created when I was in Chennai and presented to the participants in the Pugai Pudam Collective. On the left is an apron floating in the sky with a Kolam created in particulate matter from the air. A Kolam is traditionally a rice flour pattern that is created by hand each morning at the entryway of houses. It gives forth positive energy and keeps insects from going further into the home.
At the center is a drawing of my journey from the center of Chennai to Ennore where the power plants and fertilizer factories have severely polluted the air and water.
And, on the right is a drawing of a broom and a tear-drop shape that is cut into the paper, and filled with coal fly ash from Ennore. This is the ash that fills the waterways and pollutes the air.
Links to articles about the Pugai Pudam campaign: