When you think about it, everything starts with an inch and then grows from there. That's why Hyderabadi girls Meghalika Panduru and Neha Sharma are asking for just an inch this August. Just an inch of what? Your artwork! Whether it's a painting, sketches, miniature sculpting, clay modelling or anything else, you have to bring it out in a 1" x 1" space, use the hashtags #aninchaugust and #aninchaugust2020 and share it on social media. "Don't forget to keep your profile open so that the world can see your art," reminds Neha. When the duo ran the month-long initiative for the first time in 2018, about 40 artists participated, in 2019, the number grew to 120 which makes it pretty easy to imagine the upwards trajectory this year could see.
Meghalika and Neha used to work at the same architecture firm and clicked instantly, all thanks to art, the common and unifying factor between the two. "We were talking about how we don't have much time for art and that's when we thought of this challenge," says 23-year-old Neha. So you see an inch has a lot of scope. You can either give it all the details in the world or make it quick, and it will still take you less time than producing any other artwork will. "It challenges us and yet, doesn't require us to invest as much time," she points out.
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Before we get talking about this year, we have to mention last year's highlight where several participants got together at Hyderabad's Beans & Brie Bistro to display their work. So what's different about this year? First, the inclusion of miniature photography and then, there is the plethora of Insta Lives with new artists, which will happen once in three days. "Also, we usually don't like giving prompts to participants because then it becomes too rigid, but we decided to do that every Sunday this year," says the youngster who pursued her Architecture degree from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur.
From last year's lot, Neha really liked the miniature greeting cards and pencil lead carvings that artists churned out. But what's her plan this year, how will she contribute to the challenge? "Being an architect, I absolutely adore tile patterns. So I am going to design my own little tile," says the excited artist who works as a Junior Architect at Ektha Prime, a construction company. "We want to slowly form a community across borders and connect artists," says Neha. And now that you know all there is to know about #aninchaugust, how will you make the most of an inch?
The artwork they received
For more on the trend, check out instagram.com/aninchaugust
