Art for public sake

VADODARA: If you happen to find a hollow iron framed box in the middle of the road any of these days don't ignore it. Take a walk inside this box for there await 300 photographs taken of the trees by a Bangalore-based artist. Don't be surprised on seeing a 10-feet-long shoe that doubles up as a mini art studio as well as an art work.
These are some of the interesting art works evolved by 12 artists from the country in an artist residency hosted by Sandarbh an initiative of Chintan Upadhyay in the city.The residency is a unique exercise in which participating artists explore the city, interact with artists and discover a new medium to create a work of art. The entire workshop is managed by Shreyas Karle and Amruta Nemivant.
"I went around the city and collected 300 photographs of trees which are bordered by some or the other material. These photographs are then hung on a wire in the iron frame which will be taken across the city for people to see. It's an attempt to take art in the public space and explain the apathy of authorities towards nature," shared Madhu D, a Bangalore-based artist.
Another artist while travelling in the markets situated in walled city area discovered synthetic cotton. "It is for the first time I am working with this medium. I will be using 27 kg of synthetic cotton to create a fantasy installation wherein I will use lights to give colour effect on the art work," said Delhi-based artist Megha Joshi. She is a set designer as well as art director and alumnus of M S University's fine arts faculty.
"The medium is challenging. I made insects using cotton wicks that are used for religious ceremonies. It is an attempt to show stress on the fragility of our bio system," added Joshi.
Another Bangalore-based artist Abdul Haque has gone hunting for discarded stuff and is trying to create a new form by adding red balloons.
Two artists Siddharth Kararwal and Madhu Das, will be doing performances at various public spaces in the city. Another artist duo Prayas Abhinav and Kararwal will visit artists in the city and ask them if they are happy with their names. They will then give new names to these artists and present their experience. Abhinav will also work to create a 10-feet-long shoe that will be a tent for artists.