NARM PAPER CANVAS: DETERMINING THE VIABILITY OF RESHAPING FALLEN KATCHAMITA MANGO LEAVES INTO AN ALTERNATIVE ART PAPER CANVAS

Abstract

Inflation has escalated the costs of traditional art materials, posing challenges for artists striving to express their creativity affordably. In response, exploring eco-friendly and cost-effective alternatives is essential. This study investigates the viability of utilizing reshaped fallen Katchamita mango (Mangifera indica) leaves as alternative art canvases.

Mango leaves have been traditionally used in various art forms, such as torans—decorative door hangings in Hindu culture—where fresh leaves are employed for their aesthetic appeal. However, the application of dried and treated mango leaves as painting surfaces remains underexplored. This research aims to assess whether these natural materials can serve as sustainable and affordable canvases for artists.

The study will involve collecting fallen Katchamita mango leaves, processing them to create flat, durable surfaces, and evaluating their compatibility with different artistic mediums. By repurposing organic waste into art substrates, this approach not only offers a solution to rising material costs but also promotes environmental sustainability in artistic practices.

In summary, this research seeks to provide artists with an innovative alternative to conventional canvases, enabling them to continue their creative endeavors economically and sustainably. The researchers' study aims to compare the viability of paper made from fallen Katchamita mango leaves to commercial art canvas, focusing on their paint and water absorption properties. To achieve this, they employed the Cobb water absorption test and paint absorption analysis.

Cobb Water Absorption Test:

The Cobb test measures the amount of water absorbed by a material's surface over a specified time under standardized conditions. It's particularly useful for evaluating the water absorptiveness of paper and board materials. In this test, a specific area of the material is exposed to water for a set duration, after which the absorbed water is quantified. This method helps determine the material's suitability for applications where water resistance is crucial. 

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Paint Absorption Analysis:

While standardized methods for paint absorption testing are less common than those for water absorption, evaluating a material's paint absorption is essential for applications in art and design. Materials with high paint absorption may require more paint to achieve the desired effect, while those with low absorption might allow for more precise and controlled application. Factors influencing paint absorption include the material's porosity, surface texture, and the type of paint used. Understanding these properties ensures that artists and manufacturers can select appropriate materials for specific artistic techniques and desired outcomes.

By utilizing both the Cobb water absorption test and paint absorption analysis, the researchers can comprehensively assess and compare the performance of mango leaf paper and commercial art canvas. This comparison will provide valuable insights into the practical applications of mango leaf paper in artistic and commercial contexts. The study's findings indicate that paper derived from fallen Katchamita mango leaves (referred to as NARM paper canvas) exhibits superior performance compared to commercial art canvas in both paint and water absorption tests.

Paint Absorption:

When tested with water-based paints, the NARM paper canvas demonstrated significantly better absorption characteristics. The statistical analysis yielded a p-value of less than 0.02, which is below the conventional significance threshold of 0.05. This result suggests a meaningful difference in paint absorption between the two materials, favoring the NARM paper canvas.

Water Absorption:

Similarly, in water absorption assessments, the NARM paper canvas outperformed the commercial art canvas. The obtained p-value was less than 0.03, again underscoring a statistically significant difference with the NARM paper canvas exhibiting superior water absorption properties.

These findings highlight the potential of utilizing fallen Katchamita mango leaves to produce a viable alternative to traditional art canvases, especially in applications where enhanced paint and water absorption are desirable. The researchers' study indicates that paper derived from fallen Katchamita mango leaves (NARM paper canvas) exhibits superior performance compared to commercial art canvas in terms of paint absorption for water-based paints and overall water absorption. However, when evaluating oil-based paint absorption, the data reveals no significant difference between the two materials, with a p-value greater than 0.05.

Oil-Based Paint Absorption:

The comparable absorption rates for oil-based paints between NARM paper canvas and commercial art canvas can be attributed to the inherent properties of oil paints and the substrates. Oil paints are less prone to absorption due to their viscous nature and the presence of oil as a binder, which sits atop the surface rather than being absorbed. Additionally, both materials likely possess similar surface treatments or sizing that minimize oil penetration, leading to analogous absorption characteristics.

Despite the similarity in oil-based paint absorption, the enhanced performance of NARM paper canvas with water-based paints and its superior water absorption properties suggest its viability as an alternative art canvas. Its eco-friendly origin from fallen mango leaves further adds to its appeal for sustainable art practices.