DAG Workshop - Archive Case Files
DAG (formerly Delhi Art Gallery), India's leading arts organisation, launched an innovative archive-based learning programme for undergraduate students, titled "Archive (Un)box." As part of this initiative, DAG conducted a five-day workshop at Loreto College, Kolkata, called Archive Case Files. The aim of the workshop was to expand students' understanding of how significant historical events are represented and memorialised through images and archival material.
The workshop, held on September 17, 19, 23, 25, and 27, 2024, was attended by thirty students from the Departments of English, History, and Political Science, with ten participants from each department. The sessions primarily focused on India's involvement in the First World War, utilising a rich collection of postcards depicting Indian soldiers from the DAG archives as a key learning tool.
The initial sessions of the workshop introduced students to the fundamentals of visual analysis, archival research, and close reading of critical texts. Participants gained insight into how history is documented, the role of visual and material evidence in historical narratives, and how historians interpret such evidence. These sessions offered a deep understanding of how history is written and how different forms of evidence are utilised in historical inquiry.
In the latter part of the workshop, students were divided into five groups, each tasked with creating a photobook on one of the following themes: "Spectacle of War," "Prisoners of War," "Health," "Injury and Recovery," "Bodies in Combat," and "Recruitment and Resistance." Each group collaboratively applied their newly acquired skills in archival research, visual analysis, and creative thinking to produce a photobook that encapsulated their chosen theme.
The workshop concluded with a special lecture by Dr. Satarupa Lahiri, followed by group presentations where students showcased their photobooks to their peers and faculty members. This immersive experience not only enhanced participants' research skills but also fostered a spirit of collaboration, deepening their appreciation of historical narratives and the power of visual storytelling.
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