Art is where the heart is

Q: I recently saw a documentary on installation art and feel very inspired to become a New-Age artist. Could you give me some details about this art form?

— Medhavi Joshi

A: The art world has seen the emergence of New-Age artists who have broken away from the limitations of a gallery, the monotony of frames and liberated themselves from the age-old clutches of conventional making and viewing of art.

Their tools are unconventional to say the least. The easel, paint brush and canvas have given way to keyboard, mouse and monitor. For some, art means video projections while a few use egg shells, feathers, sand, cloth and beads and music to create their masterpiece.

Transitional art, installation art, computer art, interactive art, figurative art, video art, environmental art are just some examples. Avant-garde artists are not just pushing the limits but redefining traditional art parameters.

Installation art is a genre of western contemporary art that came into prominence in the 1970s. Through the use of sculptural materials and other media it seeks to modify the way art connoisseurs experience a particular space.

Experts say there is a great future for artists dabbling in New-Age art as it provides extraordinary freedom and space to experiment with ideas. Apart from art exhibits, installation art is the next big idea for decorating exclusive showrooms, corporate houses and hotel lobbies. Some well-known names in this genre are Sheba Chhachhi, George Martin, Manjunathh Kamath, Ranbir Kaleka, Vivan Sundaram, Navjot Altaf, Nalini Malani, Atul Dodiya and Gulammohammed Sheikh.

The latter’s installation art is based on his Book of Journeys, where the artist has recorded memorable moments of his life in the form of painting.

The right staff for job seekers

Q: What is the pattern of exams conducted by the Staff Selection Commission?

— Amlan Sen

A: The Staff Selection Commission conducts the graduate-level exams every year for which the qualification is a bachelors degree, and the combined matric-level exams for which the required qualification is a matriculation or high school certificate. Candidates applying for the graduate-level exam have to appear for the preliminary exam which consists of two parts — general intelligence and general awareness and arithmetic.

Those who qualify in the preliminary exam have to appear for the mains. Candidates qualifying in the mains have to appear for an interview or physical efficiency test. Those qualifying in the matric-level main exam have to pass a skill test.

Some exams such as those for section officers, and investigators are held separately, and no preliminary exams are held for them.

Smooth sailing on high seas

Q: Is the post of a sailor in the Indian Navy that of the rank of an officer? How are they recruited?

— Gautam Bajpai

A: The Indian Navy has kept pace with advanced technologies and operates and maintains highly sophisticated ships, submarines and aircraft. The propulsion machinery, weapons, sensors and the equipment on board the weapon platforms are operated and maintained by sailors, who are trained on an ongoing basis.

Sailors are recruited twice a year under five categories: (a) artificer apprentice, (b) direct entry diploma holders, (c) matric recruit, (d) musician and (e) non-matric recruit.

The initial basic training at INS Chilka in Khurda district of Orissa is followed by further training at various naval establishments across the country.

Selected sailors are also sent abroad for training in specific disciplines. Prior to release from service, sailors are also given pre-release courses to enable them settle down in civil life. As a sailor in the Indian Navy you must be prepared to serve anywhere in India, on board ships and submarines or even abroad.

While the post of a sailor is not of the rank of an officer to begin with (although the term sailor is loosely used for anyone in a shipping job). However, there are several opportunities for promotion to the rank of a commissioned officer. This, of course, will depend on your performance as a sailor and upon clearing the prescribed exams within the stipulated age limit.

Incidentally, all officers of the Indian Navy will be engineers after 2013 and will pass out with a four-year BTech degree. Plans are afoot to equip the National Defence Academy cadets with a BTech degree.

Instead of graduates or postgraduates, engineering graduates will be recruited for permanent or short service commission.

Being a technical service, it is mandatory for all Indian Navy personnel to be adequately qualified to handle the complex and sophisticated new equipment that is being used. The idea is to do away with the branches in navy, so that qualification-wise everyone is on the same platform. Later, it will be up to the individual to perform and specialise in a branch or even change the branch.

Everyone will have an opportunity to command a ship or fleet. Other branches in the navy besides engineering and electrical are executive, law, logistics, naval armament, inspection, education and air traffic control. For details regarding eligibility and training log on to www.nausena-bharti.nic.in.