Technology V/s Man show, The Love and Business of Art and more..

NEWS

Technology Vs Man Show

(A work by Chippa Sudhakar at the show)

Gallery Veda, Chennai, presents a solo show of unique works by artist Chippa Sudhakar. The show titled, ‘ Technology Vs Man’ displays works by the dynamic artist and his engagement with various mediums and application of techniques. The works are made with acrylic and etching, wood and glass resin, carved relief and colour washes, and the over all effect is of a sensitive visual harmonious and delicate.

Chippa uses metaphors to depict his sensitivity towards his surroundings and speaks in a contemporary visual language which is uniquely his own. With a focus on human relationships, explorations and experiences pour out on to the canvas in their distinct voices of textures and media.

A universal truth surfaces even as an intimate connection is made with the viewer. The artist depicts his childhood spent in rural areas and his gradual movement towards an urban landscape with age, gets imprinted in his art works.

The  show commences on 21st July 2013 and will be on view till the 22nd August 2013.

Two faces of contemporary art

( A work by Mahesh Pattar)

Genesis Art Gallery presents a group art exhibition showcasing paintings by Mahesh Pattar and Nilima Sikhrakar, two city-based acclaimed artists. Both these contemporary artists play with colors and create a train of thoughts that can not necessarily be expressed through words. 

The contemporary art has been widely used as a medium of expressing one's thoughts as well as addressing certain issues with a creative angle. This group exhibition will open new avenues of creative expression and for art lovers it is going to be a wonderful experience. 

The show is on view till the 10th of August 2013.

Art ‘Via Pondicherry’

( A work by K Saravanan)

Dakshina Chitra art gallery, Chennai presents a unique group show of four artists. The show is aptly titled, ‘Via Pondicherry’, and features unique paintings and sculptures by four Pondicherry based artists. The participating artists include K. Saravanan, P. Radja, D. Saravanan and P. Saravanan.

P. Saravanan’s works are figurative, mostly children in cheerful moods done in bright colour schemes. P. Radja’s works are abstracts in delicate lines and interwoven figures in subdues hues. D. Saravanan is known for his striking metal installations done with junk metal pieces welded together.  This exhibition also features his 8 foot long temple cart festival. He has won several awards in Pondicherry for his innovative works. K. Saravanan got his masters in Arts from Agra after graduating from Pondicherry arts college and captures the essence of the subjects in a simplified but a highly evocative representation using various drawing media like pen and ink, brush and ink, and charcoal.

The show displays an array of traditional and contemporary works in sculptures and paintings in a variety of mediums.

The show is on view till the 30th of July 2013. 

Of Sounds and Silences

( A sculpture at the show)

Galerie De Arts, Bangalore, presents a solo show, ‘Of Sounds & Silences’ showcasing art works of artist, Raviram Ramakrishnan.  The show displays works which are proof of the artist’s creativity and imagination.

Having trained under the able guidance of late P V Janakiraman, a contemporary Indian sculptor, Raviram, has honed his skills and presented to the viewer his trademark features in his copper sculptures. 

Raviram’s work focuses on religious allegories that are taken from Indian mythology and epics to create exquisite sculptures and figurines. The show displays some of his recent copper sculpture works which blend mythology and the contemporary to create unique artworks.

The show is on view till the 8th of August 2013.

(News reports by Sushma Sabnis)

FEATURE

The love and business of art

Bangalore is widely considered the start-up capital. Though there are many start-ups in the IT sector, they are an emerging trend in the field of art and culture

(Chitra Santhe Bangalore)

Start-ups and first generation entrepreneurs do not only come from management and engineering institutes. They also come from design institutes and art schools. Bangalore, over the last ten years, has been witness to this trend. A group of youngsters, brimming with ideas, are ready to take risks to start creative ventures. Artists, theatre practitioners, designers, filmmakers, photographers and musicians are creating a melting pot of innovations in the field of art and culture, with some even choosing to opt out of corporate careers to pursue their passion.

An increase in creative spaces, the coming up of reputed design institutes and the goodwill of Bangaloreans, are among the many reasons that encourage people to form start-ups in art and culture. Ameen Haque, founder of The Storywallahs, a recently-formed initiative that reaches out to children, including special and lesser-privileged children says, “Overall Bangalore in comparison with Mumbai, Delhi or Kolkata, has more start-ups. It’s a proven fact,” explains Ameen.

Start-ups in the field of art and culture in Bangalore, Ameen further contends, have increased over the years. “Bangaloreans are culturally-inclined. Our Facebook page is a good indicator of our progress. Every time a person likes our performance, they post on our page,” Ameen contends.

Tanu Jalan, founder of The Pseudo Garage that offers “up-cycled, recycled and refurbished” products, says that creative spaces such as Jaaga and Ranga Shankara provide platforms for artists, which helps generate awareness. “The city has been growing in design, art and craft,” says Tanu.

Sunita Suhas, a quilter, began her initiative Indian Yards only recently. “I always loved to sew. I left my job to look after my child and it was then that I decided to start Indian Yards.” Indian Yards, which offers quilts and bedspreads, has a prominent Facebook presence. Sunita says that Bangalore has a mixed crowd and hence varied preferences. “Bangaloreans are more receptive to new ideas, but the run-of-the-mill doesn’t work here. I always try to create different products.”

Vivek Juyal, an independent designer, who is due to set up kitschdi.com this August, which will offer kitsch products, says there are plenty of promising start-ups in design in the city. “This could be attributed to the design institutes, from Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology to National Institute of Fashion Technology. A number of talented designers are from these Institutes. More than 50 per cent of fashion retailers are based in Bangalore,” says Vivek.

Sudhir Selvaraj, production head of Renegade Arts and Theatre Society, says that there has been a boom in English theatre in Bangalore over the last few years. He believes that the Bangalore audience is known to be theatre literate and receptive to watching all kinds of theatre. “The people here are very encouraging. A number of youth theatre groups are emerging. And there has also been an increased activity of older and established theatre groups. The youth and those with full-time jobs pursue theatre during their free time. I believe that’s why theatre is becoming more popular among Bangaloreans,” says Sudhir.

Perumal Venkatesan, a well-known photographer and co-founder of Thalam, a space created to connect artists in various fields, says Bangalore needs a lot of community space. “There are well-established galleries in the city, but people can’t gather there to discuss art, theatre and photography. They go to these galleries only when there is a show.” The aim of Thalam, Perumal says, is to create community interaction about creativity. “Thalam was set up four months ago, and we have been able to create a distinct identity for ourselves as a serious space.”

Thalam has opened its doors to budding artists, storytellers and photographers. “Artists and photographers often need contacts to showcase their works at well-known spaces. Thalam is a space where both budding and established artists can exhibit their works. It is also a space for learning. We conduct multiple workshops and have had six exhibitions so far,” he contends.

Considering funding for the arts is negligible, one of the biggest challenges facing art and culture start-ups is sustainability. Suresh Jayaram, visual artist, art historian and founder-director of 1 Shanthi Road, offers a caveat. “The whole problem for start-ups is sustainability and a vision. Art start-ups require a viable financial model. Since grants are drying up, funding is difficult to come by; one has to strike a balance between overhead costs and a sustainable financial model.”

One cannot, however, deny the huge market possibility for start-ups due to social networking sites and online portals. The question that must be mulled over is what encourages people to take risks to start creative ventures? Is it to break free from the everyday monotony of life and work? Or is it because the creative side of a person is unexpressed with the Arts not being given its due in India?

(Report by Sravasti Datta for The Hindu)