‘Drishti Mukham’ set for a comeback

Just when residents were beginning to miss ‘Drishti Mukham,’ the blue faced wire mesh sculpture on Beach Road, it is set to make a comeback on T-shirts with the same message it originally intended-it keep one’s surroundings clean.

The Drishti Mukham was designed by Mexican artist Leyla Brashka during her art residency in Puducherry and was part of a campaign launched in February 2014 to clean up this town’s famed Promenade, with a special emphasis on the junk that had accumulated on the rocks. Artists from Puducherry had also collaborated on the making of the sculpture.

Ms. Brashka was inspired to conceptualise the sculpture after seeing how littered people’s favourite hangout had become. The Drishti Mukham is likely to be installed at a new venue soon.

The T-shirt will be launched at the Tasmai gallery on Advocate Chinna Thambi Street, Kuruchukuppam, on Friday and marks the culmination of Ms. Brashka’s solo exhibition, ‘Nature Explorations’ and her art residency.

Nature Explorations, a mixed media exhibition reflects the artist’s message that people are getting increasingly distanced from nature, and that it is time to renew our bond with it. “We perhaps need to evolve into beings which are more connected with nature; a better race. Nature gives us everything we need. We have to understand our real necessities and do away with other things,” said Ms. Brashka.

The artist hopes the message of Drishti Mukham is carried forward through the T-shirts. “Through our project involving the Drishti Mukham, many people had come forward to help us clean the beach. I believe the Drishti Mukham made a small difference in raising awareness,” said Ms. Brashka.

“We hope the T-shirt becomes an icon of cleanliness and helps to launch more such events,” said Kirti Chandak, director, Tasmai. Proceeds from the sale would go to a project fund for cleaning Puducherry, added Ms. Chandak, with a discount of 10 per cent on the launch day.

The T-shirt would be available for children and adults at a cost of Rs. 500-Rs. 600 at Tasmai and other shops such as The Promenade’s boutique, Splendour and Knitting and Weaving outlet of Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

It was designed by Mexican artist Leyla Brashka and part of a campaign launched in February 2014 to clean up Promenade