Looking at the numbers of initiatives and festivals committed to taking art to the public, Bengaluru city is witnessing some earnest efforts. Whitefield Art Collective, which is back with its second edition, is aligned to the philosophy.
Paintings, installations, art bazaar, TED talk, movie screening, the festival by VR Bangalore comes with a lot more elements this year. Here's a complete lowdown on Whitefield Art Collective.
In the spotlight
While George Martin has painted a car, fellow contemporay artist Murali Cheeroth has painted a scooter.
And then, there will be another car which was painted by Yusuf Arakkal years ago. As a tribute to the artist, who passed away last year, the festival will exhibit it alongside some of his rare unseen paintings.
In a first, VRBengaluru has also tied up with institutions like Santiniketan, MS University, Baroda and Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology whose students will be showcasing their art works. Artists from Cholamandal Artists Village in Chennai will also exhibit their art.
For the uninitiated, Baroda, Bengal and Cholamandal are three distinct schools of art which have played an important role in shaping Indian art. It will be interesting to see how young practitioners have taken them forward.
An art pop-up bazaar is also going to be there enabling people to buy products like jewellery, clothes, home-decor inspired by art.
School students will also be a part of the affair through competition called 'Art Buddies'.
Artists
The festival has some well-known artists on its list like George Martin, Murali Cheeroth, Rajesh P.S, Mayadhara Sahu and Ria Rajan. Special projects by George Martin and Murali Cheeroth will be unveiled on the opening day.
More elements
As lines blurs between various disciplines, a festival like this can't restrict itself to just visual art so this year there is a screening of "Gali Beeja", a film by Babu Eshwar Prasad. The National Award winning film is doing the rounds of several festivals.
Also a panel discussion on the business of art and design is going to take place. The panel will comprise Sumi Gupta, Director, International Marketing and Product Development at VR, artists Murali Cheeroth and George Martin and Raj Bagaria of Artchutney.com
Objective
"I think the festival has something for everyone for those who understand it and those who think they don't. We are committed to the idea of taking art to the masses and also provide a platform to young artists and students," explains Sumi, who has also curated the festival.
What where when
Date: February 24 to March 24
Venue: All across VRBengaluru, Mahadevpura, Whitefield
Theme: Connecting Communities
Artists: More than 100 artists
Art works: More than 100 art pieces comprising paintings, installations, sculptures
