International student to unveil special installation

Idyllwild Arts Academy (IAA) invites the public to attend its Community
Day from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 11, to learn about the
transformative power of art. As part of the event, Arts Enterprise
Laboratory (AEL) student Devika Aggarwal will unveil her
thought-provoking, interactive and meticulously-engineered art
installation “Outside In,” a sphere-like, geodesic dome structure that
will provide a space for inspiration and reflection. The artwork was
made possible by a student grant Devika received from the school’s
funded AEL program.

The free event will take place on the school’s stunning campus,
providing visitors with an opportunity to learn about the school and
different programs it offers, including dance, music, fashion, film and
visual arts. The event will showcase student work as well as offering
access to lectures, demonstration classes and teacher introductions
before culminating in a student production of the musical “Cabaret,”
along with a late afternoon reception and auction. 

Set to graduate in May, Visual Art student Devika is from Gurgaon,
India, and like many international students the school attracts, saw IAA
as a unique opportunity to explore arts and academics simultaneously.
Her semi-permanent installation will be located in the heart of the
mountain campus at the Margaret A. Cargill Commons. Devika, who
considers herself a Citizen Artist, is part of the AEL program, which
provides access to public platforms unattainable at any other art high
school, allowing students to participate in a trailblazing
extracurricular program that combines grants, strategic partnerships,
masterclasses and alumni engagements to provide unrivaled real-world
training and exposure. To produce original artwork, AEL students
competitively apply for grants and under faculty mentorship, learn to
create schedules, manage budgets and deliver on grant requirements,
ultimately bringing their artistic visions to life.

Idyllwild Arts Foundation President Pamela Jordan said, AAt Idyllwild
Arts, we believe that art is the greatest teacher of humanity and
Devika’s AEL project is a powerful example of what an Idyllwild Artist
can do. Devika has conceived, created, and produced a compelling piece
of art that will inspire visitors and students to think, reflect, and
act for many years to come. It is because of programs like AEL and
students like Devika that I am proud to celebrate the remarkable
contributions to Idyllwild Arts at our inaugural Community Day.”

Made of burnt wood and steel, the structure of “Outside In,” which
measures 9 feet in diameter and 6 feet in height, features a door
through which one can enter to view 35 original drawings
contained within, representing a collection of real people’s stories and
experiences. 

With each triangle representing one person’s answer, all the drawings
are adapted imagery from the prompt, “If walls could talk, what would
yours have to say?”

The thought-provoking installation showcases how there is no wrong or
right interpretation and that multiple perspectives can be held in the
same space much like in society itself.

For more information, visit,
https://idyllwildarts.org/academy/arts-enterprise-lab/.