There's God in their art

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Harsh Goenka''s latest brainchild has over 30 artists celebrating divinity in popular culture</span><br /><br />The string of flags is reminiscent of Buddhist shrines up in the Himalayas. Reaching up to the ceiling, the flags with religious symbols lend artist Anjolie Ela Menon''s installation (a collaboration with popular artist Balakrishna Vaidya) a certain temple-like quality."Organised chaos" and "a Zen-like ambience" is how organiser Harsh Goenka chooses to describe the exhibition ''Sacred Space'' at the Jehangir Art Gallery, all set to unveil itself tomorrow. It is based on the two concurrent themes of ''Reverence'' and ''In the Name of God''. He says, "The themes are of great relevance given the strife in the world. Through this exhibition, we are attempting an interaction with the viewer on a multi-dimensional level."<br /><br />Artist Sanjay Bhattacharya has a cross (with two <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">burkhas</span> flung on the sides) standing amidst a pool of red, symbolising blood. Bose Krishnamachari uses pop art and funky colours such as blue and shocking pink to depict the concept of the <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">linga</span> and <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">yoni</span>. <br /><br />One of the uphill tasks was to get artists who would be able to execute the varied renditions. Even for Ela Menon, this was an attempt to convey a "secular idea". Explaining why she chose popular images of different Gods, she says, "These popular images turn up in calenders and elsewhere, and have determined people''s image of Gods. Also, God and spirituality today are part of popular culture." <br /><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">sharmistha.chatterjee@timesgroup.com</span></div> </div>