Acres For Auroville – Greenacres – Art for Land inaugurations

AUGUST 15th – Sri Aurobindo’s birthday – was the occasion for the inauguration of new phases in Auroville’s three land fundraising campaigns: Phase 3 of the Acres for Auroville land campaign; the second year of the Green Acres campaign, and the second phase of the Art for Land action.

In the presence of special guest Sri Mohan Verghese Chunkath, the Secretary of the Auroville Foundation, the team of fundraising activists from the three campaigns – in close cooperation with the Land Board – spoke about the dynamic actions over the past year: the New Year’s card, designed by Aravinda and distributed to thousands of friends; the “Landing Auroville” event in February which showcased the three inspiring land–awareness films made by Rakhal and the Auro–Image team of Aichal and Karen; and Miriam’s series of land–related interviews broadcast on Auroville Radio. COLAAP, the website dedicated to Auroville’s land, has been enriched over the year with fresh material. Now supporters can follow the latest news, films, photos and flyers. (www.colaap.org)

Acres for Auroville (A4A) is a collaboration of Auroville Inter-national with Auroville-based Lands for Auroville Unified (LFAU) to raise resources for the purchase of the vital acres still missing from Auroville’s coherent development. The project’s anniversary date is Sri Aurobindo’s birthday. Since its initial launch, it has twice reached its fundraising target and thus expanded its action each year. The target of A4A Phase 1 was a double one: to raise funds for the Matrimandir Area in order to safeguard the area surrounding what the Mother called Auroville’s “soul”; and to raise funds for the International Zone with its special relevance for incarnating human unity. Thanks to A4A donations, a vital Matrimandir Area plot was purchased, expanding the area for Deepanam School and Mahalakshmi Park.

A4A Phase 2 widened the campaign goal to the four zones of the City Area, and A4A donors contributed to a plot acquired near Rêve. Over 650 donations have been received to date. At the request of Auroville’s Land Board, A4A’s new Phase 3 aims at the City Area as well as “priority plots” anywhere in the Master Plan area. Aryadeep presented co-organizer Mandakini’s (AVI France) visual overview of the campaign’s Phase 3 at the inauguration event.

GreenAcres is the fundraising campaign dedicated exclusively to acquiring missing plots in Auroville’s Greenbelt and to expanding eco–activities and projects on the land. At the inauguration, Sigrid presented the campaign’s goals, highlighting the Greenbelt as an internationally renowned site of environmental, forestry and agricultural research and training as well as wildlife regeneration. A unique eco–zone, it plays a vital role in Auroville’s organic food production, as a provider of water resources due to its crucial placement in the Auroville watershed, and as a protective buffer for the City. GreenAcres promotes land purchase to enlarge two existing projects – organic rice cultivation and water conservation in a wildlife sanctuary – and for both of these projects there is an urgent need for funds.

Art for Land is another fundraising action born from the momentum and optimism generated by A4A. Its first auction, held in March, showcased 80 paintings, sculptures, and photographs donated by 33 Auroville and Ashram artists. Bids were received for twenty-two works, with the proceeds donated towards purchase of Auroville’s land. One of these works, Portée de Lumière, was offered by Bang Hi Ja, the noted Korean–French artist based in Paris. Bought by a benefactor, it was given to Auroville and now adds to the beauty of the new Farewell facilities.

A dedicated Art for Land website promoting online bidding for artworks to raise funds for land purchase is in preparation. Jasmin made a visual presentation of several of the magnificent works in the Art for Land sale inventory. The next physical auction will be held in February 2017 and will include a month-long exhibition and schedule of events at the Unity Pavilion.

The team warmly thanks Angelo, Swar, Claude, Sabine, Pascal, the Unity Pavilion team, Kumar, Alan and Inge and Guna whose work has specifically supported these actions and our ongoing work!

The third phase of Acres for Auroville aims to continue building energy and awareness for land fundraising to give the Land Board needed resources for the urgent task of remaining land purchase.