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more...CELEBRATING THE ASIAN PRESENCE
The last five decades have seen an unprecedented influx of people from around the world and a large number of them from countries in the vast Asian Continent that today houses nearly half of the world’s population of over six billion people and two emerging superpowers, China and India, into the United States of America. We have witnessed a significant share of these Asian immigrants converging into the American Heartland in search of their dreams and opportunities. These immigrants represent many unique talents, rich cultural heritage and, a strong will to strive and excel in lands and places that are their new home.
These newcomers, until recently, remained unusually quiet; the full measure of their talents untapped. They are finally coming into the community mainstream and national spotlight as a population, exploring the power and potential of their ideas, passions, and proudly affirming their deep commitment to American ideals. At the same time, these recent arrivals to our shores remain excited about the deeply enshrined cultural associations and ancient traditions of their native lands, and are passionately engaged in creating private, public, and cross-cultural activities, opportunities, and environment for their preservation and continuation to benefit the future generations of Americans. Cities are promoting diversity as an attraction, a destination. Media, internet, and inter-continental travel is frequently spotlighting and introducing us to Asia as a Continent of incredible richness, diversity, and wonderful surprises.
Exploring Imagination: A Gateway to Wonder and the Unknowns (August 14, 2008)
more...The 2008 Spirit & Place Festival theme: “Exploring Imagination” is truly thought provoking. As I see it, the theme invites and celebrates our efforts and resolve in transforming ordinary and extraordinary, imagined and perceived ideas, and cherished hopes and dreams into visions of reality.
First, we must define and understand imagination, its significance, and important place in human affairs. It is in exploring that we set forth new markers in human advancement and test the power and limits of our imagination, skills, experience, and great ideas. Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, a former President of India, reminds us, “ideas move the world, and thought precedes action.” Someone else made another brilliant call: “great ideas are wonderful but something has to be done about them.”
SEEING IMAGINATION AS A LIVING PRISM
As living-breathing and thinking beings, we carry special hopes, dreams, and expectations that best reflect our times, interests, talents, and commitments to improve our personal and collective human condition. We wonder, examine, and interpret the meaning, intricate mysteries and interrelationships, and the boundless promise of life. We see life as a colorful and complex tapestry of thoughts, emotions, ideas, and raw images of dreams and possibilities. We see life as a many-faceted living prism, teeming with and unfolding many ideas and images that dazzle our mind and attention. Our study, meditations, and reflections inspire us to give shape to ideas that capture our imagination.
Celebrating Our Divine Spiritual Mosaic (December 25, 2007)
more...We see God as an Immaculate Reality, Eternal Truth as something of an omnipresence that carries a halo of awe, mystery, and unimagined power that is beyond description, measure, and dimensions as we know or understand them. This inherent knowledge, divinely-inspired memory and passion seeking a spiritual connection with the Spirit within and all around, has been part of human yearning and prayer from the earliest beginnings of time and life. Our search for this Eternal Truth, affirmed by much testimony and evidence throughout the history of human civilization, has introduced us to many spiritual philosophies, interpretations, and revelations. Much like the ever-expanding, unfathomable universe, human spirituality has an aura of awesome mystery, growing fascination for all living beings, and continuous evolution and illumination. Different faiths seem to affirm similar images and understanding about the Supreme Nature and Spirit of the Divine and yet offer new Light and distinct perspectives.
K.P. Singh's distinctive pen and ink drawings of historic architecture and monuments from the Far East, India, Europe, the USA and Indiana attempt to reflect the spirit and original elegance which inspired the design of these architectural landmarks. Mr. Singh's finely executed drawings combine the skills of an architect, artist and historian. His works are represented in many public and private collections in the USA and over twenty-five countries abroad. Born in India, Mr. Singh came to the United States in 1965 and has made Indianapolis his home since 1967.
K. P. Singh specializes in pen and ink drawings of private residences, public institutions and a wide range of subjects. His artwork is often used in fund-raising and to heighten public awareness of our architecture and community institutions. Singh is an enthusiastic advocate for historic and cultural preservation and interfaith matters. His recently published book The Art and Spirit of K.P. Singh ~ Selected Drawings and Writings highlights many of these themes, which are often discussed in his public speaking engagements.
Educated in India and at the University of Michigan in architecture and city planning, Singh is the recipient of many awards including the Daverman Merit Award in Architecture from the University of Michigan.
"Surrounded by ancient architecture and artistic creativity while growing up in India, he conceived a desire to capture the architectural legacy of man thorugh his pen and ink drawings. His style has been influenced by the Old Masters. He presents his subjects in close-up, highlighting detail and splendor, challenging the viewer to explore the spirit of the building's original creators. Sensuality of line, texture, landscaping and intricate architectural details, interesting spatial arrangements, script as an integral element in design and an intensity of line and form are hallmarks of the Singh artwork."
-- AMERICAN ARTISTS, An Illustrated Survey of Leading Contemporaries