The bricks used by devotees to offer Pongala to Attukal Bhagavathy will now become part of art installations across the city, before they are re-used for various social housing projects of the city Corporation, including the Livelihood, Inclusion, Financial Empowerment (LIFE) housing scheme.
The art installations are being put up as a tribute to architect Laurie Baker whose 100th birth anniversary falls on March 2, on which day Pongala will be offered to the presiding deity of the Attukal Devi temple in the capital this year.
Unique model
Laurie Baker popularised a unique model of low-cost housing, which is now being used in various social housing schemes across the country.
As part of the tribute to the master, architects, designers and students will come together under the aegis of the Indian Institute of Architects, to put up 100 installations across the city on March 3 to mark mark Baker’s birth centenary. The art installations titled ‘Beyond Bricks’ is aimed at creating awareness among the public about the concept of reuse.
“We expect to make use of around one lakh bricks for the art installations. As per estimates, more than 10 lakh bricks are used for Attukal Pongala. Many a time, groups of people arrive with vehicles and take these away soon after the Pongala is over, to sell them at higher rates. The city Corporation has in recent years thought of making use of these bricks for housing projects. This year, these bricks which are used for the art installations will be handed over to the Corporation for the housing projects,” says COSTFORD architect P.B. Sajan.
Public viewing
The art installations will be kept for public viewing until March 5.
It will then be dismantled and be reused for the housing projects.
Seminars and exhibitions will be organised at the Kanakakkunnu Palace in the capital and Nishagandhi from March 4 to 6 as part of the Laurie Baker birth centenary celebrations.
