Phase 1 Uronto
29 Oct 2021 | 18,19, 23 Dec 2021
For OSCH, Uronto designed activity plans with four core objectives: Inspire, Introduce, Involve and Evaluate. Keeping these objectives in mind we designed the process where we:
Applied art and creative methods for communication about Museums and Cultural Heritage.
Introduced collective creative practice to ensure sustainable eco system of team work and knowledge sharing.
Designed alternative promotional process involving interactive methods to make the museum identity and historical narratives interesting and fun.
Equipped the youth team with various creative and technical tools to explore and innovate in their future journey in exploring cultural heritage and museums.
Connected them to a wider network of professionals and youth experts to build solidarity and learn mutually while evaluating in an international standard.
Steps of activity
OSCH phase -01 deliveries by URONTO
URONTO has delivered below mention activities and outcomes during the phase- 01 successfully in the years 2021-2022. Due to Covid and other practical challenges few things took different turn and some took a different time length but we efficiently delivered the promised activities. We had a range of online activity and offline activities too.
Summery chart of all the delivered activities by URONTO Artist
Community:
Online session:
Making the base of information
- Inception (Official opening of OSCH Phase 01)
- VRM at a glance by Md. Abdul Kuddus- Deputy Chief Conservation Officer of
Varendra Research Museum, University of Rajshahi
- Museum situation and tendencies in Bangladesh by Wakilur Rahman (artist,
curator and activist)
- Cultural Heritages of Rajshahi and their importance by Mahbub Siddique (scholar
Rajshahi)
Inspiration and support
- Logo design with Typography- an online session by Sanjay Biswas with the youth Board
- "Understanding Branding and Website design fundamentals" by Jo Healy- South Asia Arts: Marketing and Communications Consultant | BC
Skill Development
- Online session on how to develop website and how to plan the steps with Eshaque Ali
- Learning the basics of how to make a Virtual 3D Exhibition”, online session by Sayed Mohammad Mahbubul Islam Tahsin | Social Media Coordinator | EMK Center.
- Learning about Virtual Reality together- Learning Publicity Campaign and Publication design (followed by practical task)
Building solidarity and network
- IME to Youth Board Rajshahi session
- IME YAB to VRM YBM exchange session
- Hattie Kongaunruan & Nusrat Ahmed from SAG-Manchester with OSCH YBM Rajshahi.
1. Inception program:
This was the official opening of the Our Shared Cultural Heritage phase-01 followed by a panel discussion by experts from related fields like museum, heritage conservation, history and cultural studies.
Date: 08 July 2021 (Thursday) Platform: Zoom and Facebook Live Moderator: Sadya Mizan | Uronto Speakers:
Nisar Hossain, Professor & Dean, | Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka.
by Dr. Kazi Md. Mostafizur Rahman | Professor
Dept. of Islamic History & Cultlure | Rajshahi University
By Professor Shahnaj Husne Jahan, PhD | Director, Center for Archaeological Studies | University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh
Discussed context:
- Contemporary museum situation in Bangladesh
- Cultural heritage in the context of Varendra Bhumi
- Role of museum in the context of community engagement and importance of
youth participation.
Participants:
OSCH youth board applicants, British Council team, CCD team, Varendra Research museum representative, Uronto team.
Outcome:
- A clear understanding of OSCH among all
- Better understanding about the related entities and partners
- Effective discussion on museum situation and potentials in Bangladesh
- Participatory discussion on the Importance of inter connection of youth and
museum.
- The inception helped motivate the youth to become board members and
inspired museum sector experts to contribute together.
We connected passionately and emotionally with the process. We realized how much love, dedication and hard work you need to work creatively.
Orientation session of Uronto with youth Board
An online sharing session about uornto and its functions to give the youth board a better understanding of artistic tools in Uronto and to motivate them to use creative process in the journey ahead.
Date: 13 July 2021
Platform: Zoom room
Host: Sadya Mizan | Founding member | URONTO Participants: OSCH youth board Rajshahi and OSCH BD team
Outcome:
The youth members got motivated and inspired highly. They could imagine different range of activity and approaches. They experience stronger bonding with Uronto and became proactive to start the project activity.
3. VRM at a glance by Md.Abdul Kuddus
A online discussion session with and for Youth Board members to make a base of information and knowledge about the Varendra Research Museum.
Date: 29 July 2021
Speaker: Abdul Kuddus
Participants: Youth Board member, CCD representative, Uronto team.
Moderation by: Sadya Mizan
4. Museum situation and tendencies in Bangladesh by Wakilur Rahman
Online talk and presentation by Artist, curator and activist Wakilur Rahman with the Youth Board Members. The session explored personal experience of working with museums in Bangladesh, the potential threats of museums and possibilities as well in Bangladesh and beyond border.
Date: 29 July 2021
Speaker: Wakilur Rahman
Participants: Youth Board member and Uronto Moderation by: Sadya Mizan
Outcome: youth team could learn from the first-hand experience of working with museums. Could get introduced with professional museum experts and explore Ideas to work in VRM.
5. Let us learn about the heritages of Rajshahi with Mahbub Siddiqui
Series of two online session were arranged with Scholar Mahbub Siddiqui from Rajshahi. He shared a diverse perceptive of the heritage things in Rajshahi covering, river, mango, rice, textile, performative tradition, archeology etc.
Date: 29th August 2021 | 09 October 2021 Speaker: Mahbub Siddiqu
Platform: Zoom
Participants: Youth Board member and uronto
Moderation by: Sadya Mizan
Outcome: The youth board members got a guideline for future research in the OSCH project and find their point of interest among such diverse and large list of heritage in Rajshahi.
6. Cultural Mapping Workshop
The workshop was designed to deliver a clear understanding about cultural mapping, it’s importance and implementations in order to preserve and promote cultural heritage and museum narratives. The workshop was delivered in different phases of practice activity in physical spaces where the participants could learn about interactive communication through local content and context.
Sessions: 03 (physical)
Date: 29 Oct 2021 | 18,19, 23 Dec 2021
Venue: Hotel Mukta Int. Rajshahi,
Padma Library, Rajshahi, Puthia Rajbari, Rajshahi, BD.
Facilitators: Fouzia Mahin with assistance by Sibun, Uchhash and Sadya. Participants: OSCH Youth board Rajshahi
PHASE -01: Puthi writing practice and primary research
PHASE -02: Developing final writing and drawing, making Pata Chitra (scroll painting)
Methodological steps of Cultural Mapping
Analyzing
Participants collected basic data by discussion about their selected heritage sites. They did some online research and gathered information. Then they blended that with narratives by local scholar from RajshahiInventory
The collected data was divided into segments to align information in a puthi formatMapping
For mapping method, they focused on Interactive mapping and used Puthi writing style so that the it becomes more connecting with local audience and viewers. Also, the visual representation was as a scroll painting which also connects with local traditional pattern that everyone can easily interact with.
Interactive mapping > Scroll painting and Puthi writing
Outcome:
as result of the series of online and physical workshop, four scroll painting puthi were created by the youth board on four significant heritage site sin Rajshahi and recited in heritage sites itself by them.
Cultural Mapping
7. Archiving through self-publishing: Zinemaking workshop
Online and practical workshops on Zine making to inspire them toward alternative ideas of archiving heritage narrative and promoting cultural components. Exploring Cultural Heritage of Rajshahi, Bangladesh and Varendra Research Museum through the lens of subcultural zine.
Date: 12 -23 November 2021 | 24 & 26 December 2021 Mentor: Tilottama B.
Platform: Zoom and Library in Rajshahi.
Sessions: 05 online | 2 practical.
Outcome:
14 zine was produced with the topic below:
Shona Moshjid | Shona Mosque -by Ali Hasher
Rajshahir nam kano Rajshahi | Why Rajshahi is named “RAJSHAHI” – by Maisha
Fire Dakah VRM | Looking back to the history of VRM – by Joy
Rani Bhabanir tin shorto | Three agreements of Queen Bhabani – Farzana Akhter
• • • •
• • • • • •
Boro Kuthi (heritage site) – by Tondra
Alpona Gram | The design village) – by Nabil
Rabindra Nather Kachhari bari (farm house of Rabindra nath Tegore) – by Atik Janabo Ordho Bongeshwari Rajbarir Golpo | Narrative of the palace of Rani Bhabani – by Jannatul
Ashchorjo Protno Nidorshon | Mysterious entique/relic – by Samsad
Bangladesher Prothom Jadughor | First Museum of BD – by Sakib
Eglan khelen to tashki khaye gelen | The must to taste in Rajshahi – by Anika Floor map of VRM – by Ashfaqur
Puthia Royal Palace – by Minhaz
Pamda in branding in Rajshahi- by Samsad
Outcome
14 zine was produced with the topic below:
Shona Moshjid | Shona Mosque -by Ali Hasher
Rajshahir nam kano Rajshahi | Why Rajshahi is named “RAJSHAHI” – by Maisha
Fire Dakah VRM | Looking back to the history of VRM – by Joy
Rani Bhabanir tin shorto | Three agreements of Queen Bhabani – Farzana Akhter
Boro Kuthi (heritage site) – by Tondra
Alpona Gram | The design village) – by Nabil
Rabindra Nather Kachhari bari (farm house of Rabindra nath Tegore) – by Atik Janabo Ordho Bongeshwari Rajbarir Golpo | Narrative of the palace of Rani Bhabani – by Jannatul
Ashchorjo Protno Nidorshon | Mysterious entique/relic – by Samsad
Bangladesher Prothom Jadughor | First Museum of BD – by SakibEglan khelen to tashki khaye gelen | The must to taste in Rajshahi – by Anika Floor map of VRM – by Ashfaqur
Puthia Royal Palace – by Minhaz
Pamda in branding in Rajshahi- by Samsad
8. Storytelling through Theatre
Theatre workshop with the participation of youth board members in collaboration with students from Drama and performance department in Rajshahi University. A mentor from Uronto guided them to prepare short theater pieces with simple arrangements and collective method.
Date: Duration: Venue:
20-22 Dec 2021 Day long
Padma Library in Rajshahi for Practice.
VRM for final performance Participants: OSCH Youth Board Members, Rajshahi.
Steps of the workshop
Meet up of Youth Board and Trainer
Visit VRM and discussion session to find out the important contents to incorporate
in theater narrative
Discuss back with youth board and take their opinion.
Bring in other local theater practitioners from Rajshahi to collaborate
Collectively develop the storyline
Prepare props and align costumes
Practice indoors
Performance outdoor
Outcome
Three theater performance at the premises of VRM. Produced by the youth board under mentorship and collaboration with RU students.
9. Understanding Brand and website by Jo Healy
Online session organized by Uronto for "Understanding Branding and Website design
fundamentals" by Jo Healy- South Asia Arts (Marketing and Communications Consultant | BC)
Date: 22 December 2021 Mentor: Jo Healy | British Council
Participants: Youth Board member and uronto Moderation by: Sadya Mizan
Outcome: The youth board members had a clear understanding of the process and importance of brand guanines through the process of OSCH brand guanines that Jo
shared. They also got a basic understanding about website design process including sitemap designing, user experience designing, SEO and audience monitoring processes.
They had an interesting discussion after presentation where they got inspired to design a website for VRM with all important features. (eventually the website was designed which is shared in the sections ahead in this report)
10. Logo design with Typography workshop
Online session with the youth Board to shared exclusive works of logo design by typography along with basic techniques and brainstorming.
Date: 26 December 2021
Mentor: Sanjay Biswas | Graphic Designer and Typographer Participants: Youth Board member and uronto
Moderation by: Sadya Mizan
Outcome: The session was a food for brain for each member. They became more aware about publicity through logo and how to make effective Logo for heritage site and
projects. They learner basic skills to design logo and shared their interest in designing one updated logo for VRM.
11 Skill Development training: Website development
Three Online training for Youth Board members to learn about website development, hosting management, domain management etc.
Date: 9, 13, 25 Feb & 07 Mar 2023
Mentor: Eshauqe Ali | Web developer and designer
Participants: Youth Board member and uronto Moderation by: Sadya Mizan
Outcome: The training was provided to create the base of knowledge to design a new website for Varendra Research Museum. They successfully created a site map for
website and contents that they want to promote under the mentorship of a web developer as the trainer from URONTO. Finally, the website was co-created with the youth board in collaboration with Varendra Research Museum and Uronto.
12. Website Design of Varendra Research Musuem
as a result of given training and mentorship, the first dedicated website with all needed functionalities were designed by youth board members under mentorship and guidance by Uronto team in collaboration with Varendra Research Musuem and Rajshahi University.
Outcome:
Web link: vrmbd.ru.ac.bd
Hosting: Rajshahi University
Status: under construction, doing the final check by RU authorities.
The website will be maintained by Rajshahi University and VRM team with cooperation of youth board members in future. It will be published officially in July end this year with a small ceremony at the University.
Special feature: Virtual tour, Actual location of each Gallery, major collection archive, and floor map of museum along with history and collection description.
13. Handover program of the Website credentials to Rajshahi University
The youth board member proudly represented themselves along with VRM team as the developer of the website for VRM and handed over all needed content under Rajshahi universities Authorities on 31 March 2022.
Dean of all department and respected Vice Chancellor and Pro-vice chancellor sir received the website and shared their good comments for the project and the youth board members.
Outcome: an institutional recognition of the website and a beginning of new possibility to promote such important museum from Bangladesh in the Global arena.
14. Filed research Trip: Puthia heritage site in Rajshahi
A field trip was arranged with the youth board members at Puthia heritage site to explore the exclusive Terracotta culture and craftsman shift in Puthia. Also, to execute a photography training of heritage site for them in outdoor.
Date: 23 Dec 2021
Duration: Day long
Participants: Youth board members
Outcome: a collection of 400 Photographs taken by the board members archiving different terracotta form the site. This was the biggest archive of terracotta
photographs taken by youth team. This collection was implemented in future activity of making an exhibition.
15.Skill Development Training: Virtual Exhibition Making
Online training on how to make virtual exhibition by expert mentor from EMK center
who hosts the largest amount of virtual exhibition round the year in Bangladesh.
Date: 11 March 2022
Mentor: Mohammad Mahbubul Islam Tahsin | Social Media Coordinator | Edward M. Kennedy Center
Participants: Youth Board member and Uronto
Outcome:
- A successful virtual exhibition on Terracotta Narratives | https://emkcenter.org/exhibition/terracotta-narratives/
A digital catalogue of Terracotta from Puthia
An online seminar with experts and youth on Terracotta
16.Skill Development training: Publication Design
Two online and two practical sessions of publication design to equipped the youth board
in order to design publications on cultural heritages and museum collections.
Date: 9, 13, 25 Feb 2022 and 07, 12 March 2022
Mentor: Rasel Ahmed Rony| DTP designer & Abdul Kuddus | VRM Participants: Youth Board member and uronto
Outcome
as a result of these session we co-designed three items mentioned below,
- the first leaflet of VRM with all important information like History of VRM, Gallery detail, collection outline, special visitors, previous curators and director along with images of special collection and visitors’ guidelines.
A digital catalogue book on the 50 master pieces of VRM (this will be turned into a printed book in the second phase with descriptive narratives of each 50 collection.
Three posters for VRM on coins, sculpture and grant copper plate.
17. Skill development training: VR making
online training session was organized to introduce them with modern technologies of Virtual Reality making in Bangladesh. Mentors shared about equipment, facilities,
software and production planning to the youth board so that they can learn and execute this knowledge in making an actual VR tour of VRM.
Date: 25 March 2022
Platform: Zoom
Mentors: Iqbal Zihan and Pradeepta Kumar. | 360 production experts
Online Session Outline:
• Introduction to Virtual tour
• Intro to cameras
• How to shoot 360 images
• Intro of Matterport Software
• Compatible Devices (OS) & Cameras • Capturing & Uploading
• Explore 3D Spaces
• Set up Start Location • Use of tools
• Creating Highlights
• Download & Share
Physical Session Outline:
- AI attitude
- How to design the tour
- Marking of shooting spots
- How to stich
- What precautions to follow
- How to balance distance
- How to handle the camera
- How to trouble shoot
- How to complete the shooting
Outcome
A complete VR tour of Varendra Research museum was created with active participation of youth board members. The VR tour can be accessible via smart phone website and VR headset from any corner of the World. This tour is linked in the website too. The VR tour is the first ever real footage VR of any museum in Bangladesh which sets an example and inspiration for other museums in the country.
18. Networking session: with other museum teams and youth board:
Series of online session were arranged to build a mutual network between museum- based youth boards in other country. Also, there were session with international museums to help the youth board learn about museum strategies and functionalities at a global standard.
List of sessions:
- IME YAB to VRM YBM exchange session
both the boards shared about their process and achievements. They shared interest in collaborating in future through museum projects.
ME Admin and curator to VRM YBM exchange session
Content head at IME- Sahana Mohan and Head of Administration- Adity Gudi shared about different steps of designing the interactive experiences in the museum along with administrative challenges.
Hattie Kongaunruan & Nusrat Ahmed from SAG-Manchester with OSCH YBM Rajshahi
SAG team shared how the co-creation process took place and how different narratives will be displayed in the amazing space of the South Asian Gallery.
The main challenges that we faced in the phase-01 was