question. create. deliberate.
about reFrame | a multidisciplinary art initiative
Force. Counterforce. In times when expressions of dissent and difference feeling like floating bytes trying to whisper of change in the face of billowing gusts of state repression and street censorship, reFrame aims to keep in motion an opposing dynamic it has already set in place: of facilitating the creation of works that speak truth to power, and connecting them to each other beyond the limited time, frame and scope of single projects to make connected but distinct, multi-layered issue-based creative outputs that activate, energise and empower each other across genres, disciplines and platforms.
In tangible terms, we initiate the reFrame genDeralities Fellowship and the Arts Research programmes, in the course of which we have guided, mentored, supported and produced the works of 36 women, men, queer and trans* persons working across various media and speaking of their gendered lives and socio-political contexts, complicated by questions of caste, class, ethnicity, region and religion.
In order to visibilise and empower such narratives from the margins, we create opportunities for viewing, discussion, and discursive engagement through public art events like gFest - a festival of gender and the arts and Gender, Kala aur Hum workshops for diverse audiences to engage with myriad issues around gender evoked by our artists. From museums to colleges, alternative art spaces to research and advocacy institutions, we have taken the art and helped generate larger conversations and understandings of the powers and politics that control all our lives.
Our efforts at reFrame have been to create supportive connections between and across the arts and artists, affirm diversities, facilitate arts research in complex areas, host discourse-developing contemplative sessions called SmallTalk, about and through the arts. These have been our ways to counter the intellectual, artistic and emotional isolation and vulnerability within which most such artists work, against the larger environment of polarisation, hate, discrimination, and of course, violence.
Who we are
reFrame was conceptualised and initiated by feminist activist, documentary filmmaker and mixed media artist, Vani Subramanian.
reFrame’s work and perspectives are honed by: Nidhi Kol’s interest in comparative literature, experience in research and programming contemporary art practice Neeharika Sreedhar’s love for art, design and research, not to mention her fascination with history; Tulika Srivastava and Ridhima Mehra who until recently brought on board their experience in commissioning, mentoring and programming.
Together, they share the conviction to work towards meaningful social change with and through the arts. and the feminist ideal of making our dreams a reality, collectively.
Five years on, reFrame continues with the vision to create spaces that foster deep and meaningful connections with diverse artists and audiences, with and through the arts.
Our organisational structure
reFrame was originally set up as a for-profit company. Alongside, it now also operates a not-for-profit company under the Section 8 license called reFrame Initiatives Foundation.
Our advisors
The reFrame team is strengthened by an eminent set of intellectuals and practitioners from the fields of film, art, installation, writing, animation, programming, cultural practice, theory and activism. As advisors, each of them brings to reFrame their unique vision, experience and perspectives to help reFrame evolve into a creative hub for art practice and discourse, ideation, critique and management.
Chayanika Shah. Queer feminist researcher, teacher and activist.
Madhusree Dutta. Filmmaker and curator.
Maya Krishna Rao. Theatre maker, performer and teacher.
Sabika Abbas. Performative poet, alternative educator and gender rights' activist.
Sitara Chowfla. Curator, researcher and writer.