Karnataka Kala Mela at VAG this year

The protests against the adoption of Venkatappa Art Gallery (VAG) by Tasveer Foundation, seems to have rejuvenated VAG, which had almost fallen off the art map of the city. The issue has galvanised the artist community in the State to engage more with the gallery and keep it alive.

A ‘World Café’ at VAG on Sunday, which saw more than 100 artists and writers from across the State brainstorm on the future of VAG, decided to organise a mega Karnataka Kala Mela at VAG this year. Besides, senior artists, who have not held exhibitions at VAG for many years now, have pledged to do so henceforth.

The World Café is “a powerful social technology for engaging people in conversations that matter, offering an effective antidote to the fast-paced fragmentation and lack of connection in today’s world.” Based on the understanding that conversation is the core process that drives personal, business, and organizational life, the World Café is more than a method, a process, or technique – it’s a way of thinking and being together sourced in a philosophy of conversational leadership.

“We want to rebuild a brand for VAG as the most happening and prestigious art space in the city, bringing artists back to VAG. There seems to be an impression that none of the senior top-ranking artists hold their exhibitions here. That will be corrected,” said C.S. Krishna Setty, a VAG Forum member.

Karnataka Kala Mela was last organised in 2003 at VAG, that saw over 1,300 artists participate. That was the seventh, but later it was discontinued as organisers felt it was time for the younger artists to take charge. “While the Mela was discussed at the Sunday’s meeting, it was heartening to see tens of young artists coming forward to take responsibility to organise the Mela this year,” said artiste Alaka Rao. Mr. Setty said a separate meeting will be held soon to chalk out further details.

Artist Rekha Hebbar, daughter of K.K. Hebbar, said while the artist community was coming up with creative ideas to keep the space democratic and alive, what it lacked was assured funding and administrative setup. However, she added that the demand of VAG Forum has always been that the State government fund the uplift and activities at the Gallery.