Think different, challenge customers, influence society: expert insights from EcoWorld art exhibits

PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In this pictorial essay, we feature some of the stunning art installations at RMZ EcoWorld in Bengaluru, along with artist insights.

In the earlier 150 posts, we brought you a wide range of creative photographs from an art fair, world music festival, painting fair, telecom expo, art museum, mobile showcase, business cards, art therapy, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, Vesak, jazz festival, modern art gallery, ecopreneurs, painter-poets, health activists, eNGOs and digital innovators.

Art consultant Premilla Baid has curated a magnificent exhibition of installations at RMW EcoWorld, Bellandur, Bengaluru. The RMZ Foundation aims to promote art as well as sustainable development. Its EcoWorld business park is designed by DP Architects from Singapore, and is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certified project with striking landscapes.

RMZ Foundation's ‘Accentuate Art’ initiative, launched in July 2017, includes the Art Centre comprising of The Gallery, a Sustainable Art Pavilion, and the Art Walk. “Such initiatives can transform public spaces into spectacular and well-loved spaces, where art and culture is imagined, made and experienced by thousands of people, each day,” says Anu Menda, Managing Trustee, RMZ Foundation.

Premilla Baid herself founded the art gallery Sumukha in 1996. Art can be approached in a number of ways such as spiritual, creative or decorative, she said in a chat with YourStory. India needs more art galleries, exhibitions, museums, curators and art writers, she advocates. Children can also be exposed more to art galleries.

A show of sculptures by Hyderabad-based G. Ravinder Reddy, titled ‘Heads and bodies, icons and idols,’ is showcased at the dedicated art gallery in EcoWorld. It features 18 of his sculptures on female subjects created through three decades of his artistic career. The elaborately detailed hairstyles, bright colours and penetrating gazes are trademarks of his distinct style.

Ravinder uses materials such as resin, clay and fibreglass, instead of the usual bronze, wood and stone. The award-winning works are influenced by traditional Indian sculptures as well as Egyptian, Mayan and Greek styles.

“However, style is just the language of the artist, what is more important is the expression and motivation of the artist,” says Ravinder. Recalling his artistic journey, Ravinder says he comes from an agricultural family in Andhra Pradesh and had no idea what art was in his early years. “In school, I began to like art more than other subjects or games, and went on to study art formally in college,” he says.

“As a professional artist, art is not easy – it has lots of challenges and there are many things to learn – but it is enjoyable,” Ravinder explains. Art is a two-way process, and artists also need to be open to society’s reactions to their work.

Thinking different, delighting as well as challenging viewers, and influencing society are part of an artist’s mission (a lot of this also applies to radical entrepreneurs and innovators). Unfortunately, many artists have been insulted, threatened, attacked and even killed for challenging rigid views on social customs and prejudices.

Outdoor installations at EcoWorld feature the work of a range of other artists. Subodh Gupta makes art pieces from ready-made objects, most famously the colossal installations from mass-produced kitchen utensils, tiffin boxes and milk pails. The piece called ‘When Soak Becomes Spill’ features a giant steel bucket with hundreds of shiny small vessels spilling over the brim like water.

Dhruva Mistry studied at MS University (Baroda) and Royal College of Art (London). His work ‘Spatial Diagram 6’ features two intersecting cut-outs, expressing duality between male and female forms. Artist Paresh Maity is multi-faceted and has worked across canvas, sculpture, photography and installation art (eg. on benches).

Now what have you done lately to brighten up your workspace with art, or to promote your own art works in galleries and public spaces?

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