“Art is largely confined to galleries and exhibition spaces,” says Harish Kumar, director of World Art Café. “In India, as a culture, we have a lot to celebrate that is beyond boundaries. So we wanted to take art, too, out of its confines and to the public.” To get more people involved in art, The Rotary Club of Madras Central and Annets Club of Madras Central, in association with World Art Café, organises ‘Beyond Frames’, a public art fest.
The four-day fest, which is to be held at Nageswara Rao Park, will host art installations, workshops, competitions and art activities. “Since it’s an open space, we expect a lot of walkers coming in to look at the installations. But it is not just for spectatorship; people can add pieces to the installation and feel a sense of ownership with the art,” explains Harish. The installations are designed by art students from Government College of Fine Arts, Sri Kanyaka Parameswari Arts and Science College for Women, Stella Maris and Don Bosco College of Art and Design. Apart from students, the exhibition will also host the works of amateur artists, professionals from the art world, and those with special abilities. “Our brief to them was to think beyond the frame; we are looking forward to the abstract ideas and themes they will unveil,” he adds.
For those interested in getting their hands dirty, there are workshops — dry pastels workshop, miniature soap carving, miniature chalk carving and more.
There’s also a painting competition (1 p.m.) and an art activity (11 a.m.) for children on Saturday. “The art activity is called ‘Action Art’, where children are given a 16-ft canvas and asked to get their hands dirty and go crazy. Children today are restricted and structured; we just wanted them to come out and let go of their emotions and feelings.”
The Beyond Frames art fest will be held from April 14 to 17 (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) at Nageswara Rao Park. For details, call 86818 19777.
