MAJOR INTEREST AND FOCUS POINT
Short Biography
Samit has a broad interest in archiving and documentation and took the task of weaving history and archives with hands-on art practice and sustainable technology. He has developed a studio space as a living installation, Using recycled and urban waste. It is not just a concrete structure but more an Autobiographical space.
He wrote a significant research publication on the Architecture of Santiniketan in 2013. Das has a deep interest in the history of material cultures and their influences on artistic vocabulary. His engaging visual trajectories express the fastest-changing world culture through augmented reality.
EDUCATION AND AWARDS
Samit Das was born in 1970 in Jamshedpur; he specializes in Painting, Photography, Interactive artworks, and artist’s books, creating multi-sensory environments through art and architectural installations. He has studied fine arts at Santiniketan Kala Bhavan. [ MFA and BFA 1989-1996] Post Experience program [ Book Arts] from Camberwell College of Arts London, through Charles Wallace India Trust 2001-02.
Samit has been awarded Pernod Ricard Fellowship from Villa Vassilief, Paris, to work on Modernism in India with Paris Connection.2017 and a solo show. Pro Helvetia fellowship to study at Material Archive and library at Sitterwerk and research Herzog and De Meuron Archives at [Switzerland] and 2016. As an awardee of Teertha residency in Srilanka 2015, Samit has carefully studied the idea of frescos and murals of Srilanka and India. 2010 awarded Britto international residency in Bangladesh. In 2008, Samit received an IFA grant for a collaborative workshop with the German artists’ group. In 2005, he attended a Lijiang studio residency to work with the local community of Yunnan Provence. 2004 Worked on
a site-specific project as part of the Indi-Swiss residency in Bangalore. He has also received National Scholarship 1996-1998, and Junior Fellowship 1998-2000 from the Government of India, and a Merit scholarship from Visva Bharati Santiniketan 1992-1996
WEBSITE
www.samitdas.com
www.artandvisualarchives.com
www.samitdasphotography.com
An extensive site describes my artistic journey with history, archives, and documentation. It is also a solo effort to build for artists, photographers, historians, and archivists.
PROJECTS AND SOLO SHOWS
Index of Untold stories A dialogue between Handmade artist books and rare books on art history. Presented by India International Center, New Delhi, 2019
Santiniketan and Tagore/ A solo site-specific project at Old photographic studio at Kolkata 2018
Punashcha Parry A solo show and curated project at Villa Vassilieff Paris, as part of Pernod Ricard Fellowship 2017
Sailoz Mookherjea Solo’s show was Curated, and he wrote the monograph’s lead essay. Published by Dhoomimal art gallery New Delhi 2017
Bibliography in progress Solo Project at TARQ and Clark House Initiative and Apologue and Archaeology Gallery Espace Based on Archaeology of Indus Valley Civilization. New Delhi and Mumbai, 2017
Looking at Srilanka Mural and Frescos, Teertha residency, Red dot gallery, Colombo / Sree Lanka 2015
Resonance of Swami Vivekananda and art of Nandalal Bose. A research-based archival show on Indian art history. Supported by the Government of India. New Delhi 2014
The idea of space and Rabindranath Tagore, India International Center New Delhi 2014
‘You are said to be Me,’ A research-based show with archival materials on Portraits of Rabindranath Tagore. India Habitat Center New Delhi 2013
The idea of space and Rabindranath Tagore, Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata 2012
Tagore Architecture Project at Alliance Francaise Dhaka 2012
The concept of space and Rabindranath Tagore Lalit Kala Akademi New Delhi 2010
In search of frozen music Nature Morte New Delhi 2010
Wildstyle/ London wall graffiti show at British Council café, New Delhi 2003
Index of Untold stories A dialogue between Handmade artist books and rare books on art history. Presented by India International Center, New Delhi, 2019
Santiniketan and Tagore/ A solo site-specific project at Old photographic studio at Kolkata 2018
Punashcha Parry A solo show and curated project at Villa Vassilieff Paris, as part of Pernod Ricard Fellowship 2017
Sailoz Mookherjea Solo’s show was Curated, and he wrote the monograph’s lead essay. Published by Dhoomimal art gallery New Delhi 2017
Bibliography in progress Solo Project at TARQ and Clark House Initiative and Apologue and Archaeology Gallery Espace Based on Archaeology of Indus Valley Civilization. New Delhi and Mumbai, 2017
Looking at Srilanka Mural and Frescos, Teertha residency, Red dot gallery, Colombo / Sree Lanka 2015
Resonance of Swami Vivekananda and art of Nandalal Bose. A research-based archival show on Indian art history. Supported by the Government of India. New Delhi 2014
The idea of space and Rabindranath Tagore, India International Center New Delhi 2014
‘You are said to be Me,’ A research-based show with archival materials on Portraits of Rabindranath Tagore. India Habitat Center New Delhi 2013
The idea of space and Rabindranath Tagore, Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata 2012
Tagore Architecture Project at Alliance Francaise Dhaka 2012
The concept of space and Rabindranath Tagore Lalit Kala Akademi New Delhi 2010
In search of frozen music Nature Morte New Delhi 2010
Wildstyle/ London wall graffiti show at British Council café, New Delhi 2003
CURATED AND RESEARCH-BASED PROJECTS ON HISTORY AND ARCHIVES
1] A solo show and curated project Based on Modernism in India and the role of Paris. at Villa Vassilieff Paris, as part of the Pernod Ricard Fellowship 2017
2] Resonance of Swami Vivekananda and art of Nandalal Bose / Lalit Kala Akademi New Delhi and Khetri Palace, Rajasthan / supported by Ministry of culture / Govt of India 2014
3] ‘You are said to be me’ [based on Tagore portraits] / India habitat Centre 2013
4] Idea of Space and Architecture of Santiniketan /2010-2011-2012[ Lalit Kala Academy, Victoria memorial hall] supported by the Ministry of Culture. Govt of India
5] Political Cartoons from Bengal during 1940-1970 Presented by India International Center New Delhi 2022
RESEARCH
Samit’s research on Santiniketan Architecture started with his MFA Studies. It was published Titled –Architecture of Santiniketan: Tagore’s concepts of space with Niyogi Books [ Delhi]. He has collaborated to publish an Artist’s Book from One star Press [France]; in 2011, he received the BRIC scholarship to visit Italy. Samit was part of the program to prepare a Dossier: Santiniketan as World Heritage Centre on behalf of the Archaeological Survey of India. He has done Tagore’s architecture show Titled – The Idea of space and Rabindranath Tagore at Different venues like Lalit Kala Academy New Delhi, India International Centre, New
Delhi, Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata, Alliance Francaise, Dhaka, and Freies Museum Berlin.
BOOK PUBLICATIONS
Sailoz Mookherjea – A monograph 2017
Kartick Chandra Pyne A Monograph. 2022
Tagore’s concepts of space and Architecture of Santiniketan / Niyogi Books Delhi
Hotel New Bengal, One Star Press France /2008 [Limited edition Artist books]
PUBLICATION IN JOURNALS
Polarization of politics and art of Bengal/ TAKE on Art 2019
Tradition and Modernity/ Seminar 2019
Art and education at Kala Bhavan Santiniketan/ Delhi art gallery publications 2017 The need for Archives in India/ TAKE on ART 2016
‘You are Said to be me’/ Annual Journal of India Habitat Centre 2015
‘Essence of Tagore writing’s [ Mazumder Punthi] Christie’s India Sale Catalogue 2014
https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/rabindranath-tagore-1861-1941-the pocket-book-5850626-details.aspx
Essay on Santiniketan Architecture based on Alain Danielou and Raymond Baurnier Photo show at ICCR Delhi and Chittagaon AF. 2013-2014
Supporting act/ The Week 2012
Resonance of Swami Vivekananda art Of Nandalal Bose / India Horizon, Indian Council for Cultural Research Journal 2012
Tagore Architecture and Santiniketan/ INTACH Heritage Number 2009
Reborn in India. Wallpaper / Digital Illustration Project 2008
Hotel New Bengal, One Star Press France / [Limited edition Artist books] 2008
SLIDE TALK
Modernism and Art in India. India International Center 2019
Scholars weekend at Dhaka Art Summit 2018 on Ananda K Coomaraswamy Dhaka 2018
Drawings from South Asia. State Art Academy West Bengal Government Kolkata 2018
International seminar on Alice Boner at Museum Reitberg at Zurich 2018 Art and life in India. Bodhgaya Biennale Bodhgaya 2018
Censorship and artistic language at Villa Vassilieff Paris 2017
The idea of Space and creative inspiration National Gallery of Modern art New Delhi 2018
Struggle for the images: Brij Mohan Anand India art fair New Delhi 2017 The essence of Indian drawings India art fair DAG Modern Booth New Delhi 2016 In search of Artist book / TARQ Gallery Mumbai 2014
The nature of Indian Drawing with FICA and KNMA and Delhi Art Gallery 2014- 1015
The architecture of Santiniketan/ Patha Bhavan school Kolkata, Kamala Raheja Architecture college, Mumbai 2010-2011/ Vinay Nagar School New Delhi 2012
The architecture of Santiniketan / Bangalore NGMA Organized by MASA 2011
YouTube Link
CONSULTATION
One of The key Independent responant on Santiniketan – World heritage dossier , with a special invitiation from Archeological Survey of India and Ministry of Culture. 2012
A researcher for Fukoaka Asian Art Museum- Japan for a South Asian Graphic Art show 2018
Museum Documentation
Tagore House Museum Jorasanko, Kolkata 1999-2000 A project Commissioned by Rabindra Bharati University
FUTURE PUBLICATIONS
Political Cartoons from Bengal 1930-1970
Art During Nationalistic Movement and search of New images 1910- 1980
Name of the References
1. Ms Esa Epstein Mail- esa@sepiaeye.com
2. Mr Sumesh Manoj Sharma Mail sumeshwar.sharma@gmail.com
3. Ms Melanie Boutelpoup Mail melaniebouteloup@hotmail.com