Kochi Art, Culture, Literature, Kochi-Muziris Biennale

[vjkrishn]

Articles of daily use take centre stage in Gayatri’s works

Gayatri Gamuz is no stranger to Kochi. Sitting cross-legged, with her graying, long curly tresses wafting in the breeze, and a nose ring to boot, she would even pass off for a native hadn't it been for her accent and skin texture. This Spaniard, who is married to Anand, a Malayali, is in the city to exhibit her latest paintings, a series on 'Bodies and Elements' put up at Kashi Art Cafe in Fort Kochi. Her creations this time centre around articles of daily use like pressure cooker, stones, popcorn, and paper boats. One even has tanned women as its protagonist. Her exhibition will be on till January end.

Her name sounds a bit confusing. Gayatri was the name she and her husband had chosen for their first child in case it was a girl. But it was a boy, but Anand started calling her Gayatri after the baby had been born and it stuck.

"I still go by my Spanish name, Inma, with my family and old friends. Gayatri is my adopted name, and I sign my paintings as Gayatri." She now believes no other name fits her better.

She has spent half of her life in India, mostly in the south. She had come here as a traveler, and quite unapologetically fell in love with the country. And also with this particular environmentalist who is from Kochi.

Most of her works, oil on canvas, have been done with the help of photographs she has taken. After visualizing a relatable collage, she puts it down on a canvas or paper. Her use of subtle warm colours interspersed with predominant hues of grayish blue is at once engaging and poetic.

She, however, doesn't like to talk about her works. "Paintings themselves are performers, silent performers. There is no need for an artist to interpret her works," observes Gayatri.

"When you paint, you are the painting, for the idea emanates from you. Then when you put it on paper or canvas, you become the painter. After the last stroke or line, you move away from the work, and become just another pair of eyes representing the public," says Gayatri.

She currently lives in Thiruvannamala in Tamil Nadu with her husband and kids, and has successfully exhibited her works in London, New Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai. This is her ninth show in the city.

[Malayaali]

News photo exhibition

Kochi Photojournalist Forum will organise an exhibition of selected news photographs at Darbar Hall Art Gallery from December 29 to January 1.

[Malayaali]

Thirteen cultural events to be seen at in 2012

3. Kochi-Muziris Biennale

This event will be India’s largest contemporary public art event. It will display some of the best artwork by international artists ranging from film installation to painting sculpture, new media and performance art. The event is aimed at recreating the cultural legacy of the modern day Kochi and its mythical predecessor — the ancient port Muziris.

[Malayaali]

Photography exhibition at Durbar Hall

The Press Journalist Forum, a group run by the newspaper journalists in the state, is organizing a photography exhibition displaying some of the best pictures of news relevance. The exhibition named ‘Portfolio 2012’ is happening at Durbar Hall.

Photographs of 45 photographers from 25 newspapers across the state will be showcased for the event. Durbar Hall has always made sure that they host the best exhibitions. With class and style, they have always stood apart. And this time, you get to witness the show in a whole new renovated Durbar Hall!

A platform for newspaper journalists to come together and showcase their talent, the show guarantees you to offer the best! Whether you are photography enthusiast or someone who loves art, this exhibition will not fail to entertain you.

The show begins at 10 a.m and will go on till 8. 00 p.m. It will end on the 1st of January. Make sure you do not miss this photography extravaganza!

[vjkrishn]

Shutterbugs admire their work at 'Portfolio'

Photojournalists in the city are usually a busy lot. Running behind celebrities and freezing events with their cameras is a daily routine.

On Thursday, however, they got a chance to step aside and admire their work, as well as those of their colleagues.

The ninth photo exhibition, 'Portfolio 2012' organized by the Kochi Photojournalists Union, was inaugurated by minister K Babu on Thursday at the Durbar Hall Art Gallery. There is no particular theme for the photographers.

"It is basically a forum to promote the photographers' creative talent," said Padmakumar, a photographer and secretary of the forum.

Hand-picked pictures from over 45 photojournalists from the local press have been exhibited.

"We have now developed a tendency to save our best images for the exhibition and not give them off to our respective newspapers," said Aji, a photojournalist. The four-day exhibition will be open from 10am to 8pm.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/11299286.cms

[vjkrishn]

A first-hand taste of Kerala culture

Anyone who wants a taste of Kerala’s traditional culture should pay a visit to the ‘Greenix Village’ at Fort Kochi. This four-year-old village organises mock weddings for foreigners where they get a chance to wear the customary ‘set’ sari and mundu, followed by a sumptuous sadhya, with varieties of payasam and other goodies. The village also organises performances in Kalaripayattu, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Theyyam, Bharathanatyam and Kuchipudi, and concludes with a fusion performance.

Art enthusiasts can see the elaborate makeup being put on a Kathakali artist. He is seated on a paaya (grass mat).“The artist, an expert himself, paints his own face, while a chuttikuthal (a white mask attached to the jawline) is put up by a makeup man,” says Sadanam Mohankumar,a Kathakali performer.
Meanwhile, for those who have no idea of these art forms, a peep into the cultural museum would enable them to understand the Navarasas and the 24 Mudras.
Along the stone corridors there are paintings by Onyx Paulose, an artist from Mattancherry. Another interesting place is the Kalari Square. Fenced on all sides, it is 40’ long, and 21’ wide. The Kalari player enters through a wooden entrance called the Kalari Kavadam. It is considered a sacred place.
Mithulesh R K, a Kalari performer for the past three years in the village, says, “All movements has their origin in birds and animals. It starts with basic exercises, followed by the cane stick fight and the use of sharp weapons like daggers, urumi, swords, and shields.”
Theyyam, a colourful performance, has its origin in ‘Kaliyattam’ a dance practiced by the tribal community of North Kerala. You can also see performances like Koodiyattam, a temple opera, and Mudiyettu, a ritualistic dance drama based on the Puranic story of Darikavadham.
Tourists can also experience a herbal touch at ‘Thatva’, an Ayurvedic spa. Shopping at its curios shop and munching snacks at its restaurant are the other delights. T V Appu who makes pots, and K N Manoharan and V S Gopi who make bamboo articles charm their guests with their talents. Many films and advertisements have been shot here, the latest being a scene for the song ‘Mazhaneer Thullikal’ for the Malayalam movie, ‘Beautiful’.

[Malayaali]

Ideas are always fluid

The Kerala Cultural Museum in Fort Kochi that was once a warehouse and below
- how Inesh transformed it

An escape from the rigid world of architecture. This is what defines the unique style of Inesh Viswanathan the man known for his exemplary works of design.

Be it photography, a sculpture or a travelogue, this painter-cum- architect believes in doing things differently each time he hits the trajectory of creativity.

“Conforming to rules in architecture destroys the tendency to think out of the box,” says Inesh whose creativity is on display at the Kerala Cultural Museum in Fort Kochi.

Once a dilapidated warehouse, the building based on the theory of Kinethics and traditional Kerala architecture is a pet project of the creative mind and a pointer to his immense knowledge of various styles in architecture.

The building which is given a portugese touch from the exterior has incorporarted many aspects of temple design.

But why Portugese? “I decided on a combined style to capture the soul of Fort Kochi,” says Inesh. Illusions, a significant element in style, the technique introduced by renowned architect Perunthachan, has been an inspiration for many of his works.

“Most of my creativity triggers from the annual trips I make across the country,” says Inesh who is upbeat about the several heritage buildings in the country.

His travels has lead him to translate his ideas based on architectural wonders in different mediums like watercolor, photography and video An avid painter Inesh is all set to unleash his creative instincts by capturing the erstwhile Queens of India.

“Beneath the splendor of ornaments and niceties lies the background detailing of murals and the elements of light and shade that inspires me to more creativity,” says Inesh who belongs to the family of architects from Tanjore who settled in Kerala years ago by a special invite from the erstwhile maharajas of Travancore to define the architecture in the State. Inesh now runs Ineshdesigns, a company that’s a one stop for many design solutions.

[mohammedirshad06]

Guitarist Benny Prasad rocks Kochi's New Year Eve

For Benny Prasad, the Bangalore-based musician, life is all about music and this passion has also made him a Guinness World Record holder from being a ‘nobody’ With a record in his kitty for being the first person to visit 245 countries in the fastest time, this solo guitarist has made his each visit memorable by staging live performances in each of these nations.

Benny Prasad has visited 194 sovereign countries, 50 dependent countries and Antarctica in six years, six months and 22 days starting from May 1, 2004, to November 22, 2010.

We catch him while he was in the city to perform at a live show ‘Amazing Grace Concert’ organised by Exodus at Fine Arts Hall here on Friday and Saturday. “I use concerts to interact with people and tell them my story. From being a nobody, I have become the most-travelled musician in the world. And since it is God who has brought about the changes in my life, I have to talk about him,” says Benny, who is here to urge youngsters to keep away from suicide and drugs.

From Military World Games-2007 to Olympic Games 2004 to FIFA World Cup-2006 to performing before Presidents of various countries, he has done it all
Interestingly, Benny has designed two guitars: the world’s first Bongo Guitar and a 54-string guitar called the Bentar.

One would find it hard to believe that he could play guitar because he has been suffering from Asthma since childhood. Due to the overuse of medicines, over 40 per cent of his lungs got damaged. The doctors had given up hope on his physical health. Despite that, he still continues to be an inspiration to many people through his preaching and music.

Benny entered into the musical world when he was 18. His father was a scientist and much hope was pinned on him. No one dreamt that he would be a musician. At the age of 19, he started practicing with old broken guitars at the Bible College for seven hours a day. “My parents and doctors had given up all hope owing to my illness. Frustrated with life, I tried to commit suicide at the age of 16.

And, then I had an encounter with God and my life took a U-turn. I decided to dedicate my life to music to help others like me to discover the miracles within them,” says Benny.

“Through music, I try to address issues like generation gap between parents and children, unfulfilled expectations and distress among youth,” says Benny. There are certain difficulties he had encountered while travelling though. “Traveling with Indian passports to other countries is very difficult. Because, we have to give bribe for getting a favour. But I have certain principles in my life so I am against corruption and bribe.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/music-to-...11-60-122.html

[vjkrishn]

Picture perfect

Artist O. T. Remanan's works are on display at Kerala Art Gallery

On one end of Nettepadam Road is a little white room with neat rows of paintings on its walls. A table and two plastic stools are arranged in a corner. Outside is a small billboard on the ongoing exhibition ‘Passing Shadows' by artist O.T. Remanan.

The Kerala Art Gallery destroys all notions of what an art gallery should be. It has no spacious halls—just a single room less than 100 sq.ft, which probably cannot accommodate ten people at a time. There is no “contemplative silence”—only screeches of automobile wheels and the loud chatter of passers by. But the gallery is one of the busiest in the city today. Ever since it was opened in July, it has hosted 11 shows without a break, most of them by young and emerging artists.

Jayanth Kumar, the curator and owner, has little time to talk. He is busy running in and out of the gallery, to supervise the work at his photocopying store next door. “Art is not business. It is my passion. I need an alternative employment to buy bread,” he says, laughing. An artist himself, Jayanth decided to set up his own gallery with an aim to promote small-time artists. “There are so many talents here and most of them go unnoticed because of the lack of opportunities to display their work,” he says. Most artists cannot afford the rent at big, prestigious galleries.

For Jayanth, art is a purely democratic commitment. “As long as it doesn't reach the common man, what is the point?” he asks. The gallery gets a large number of visitors, he says. “Most of them are just curious, some of them are genuinely interested and only a few of them buy the works.” According to the artist, art appreciation should become a part of our culture, like it is in the west. Hence, smaller galleries should come up in every street corner. That will bring about a better understanding of art and encourage emerging artists, says Jayanth. He also plans to help struggling artists frame their works.

The ongoing exhibition of O.T. Remanan's paintings has drawn a good response. Remanan's works are mostly serene landscapes. An art teacher at Tata's school in Munnar, his works are clearly influenced by the picturesque beauty of the high ranges.

Remanan has played around with various media. For instance, ‘Circus' in dry pastel, gets its unique quality from the unusual combination of watercolour, crayon and acrylic. ‘Vanishing Womanhood' depicts a woman, thickly robed but without any features on her face. “I have tried to bring out the loss of identity,” says Remanan. His landscape in ink has attracted a lot of interest. “Thin black pen strokes on white paper, has that simple, yet intriguing effect on the viewer,” he says.

Remanan has also done a floral painting with his nail.

You don't need a large space, expensive equipment or exalted names to have a gallery. As Jayanth says, “All you need is a genuine love for art.”

The show is on till January 15.

[vjkrishn]

Of a bright and beautiful world


Work by Latha Madhusudhan

Forty-four-year-old Latha took up the brush finally. Down the 23 years that she's been married she watched her artist husband Madhusudhan paint and admired his work. She too secretly wished to paint and give colour to her dreams.

Home, family and the biggest hurdle of a beginner's hesitation kept her away from what her heart was yearning to do. Finally she began to paint, encouraged by her family and friends.

What flowed from her brush is an honest happiness, an expression straight from her heart. Latha takes no positions. She delves little into the depths of a sight but catches its beauty and simplicity at face value.

She paints plainly what her heart sings, her mind says, her eyes see and what she hears. Hence her hilly countryside of Idukki comes alive in the 39 small works on show at Eka Art Gallery, Kunnumpuram, Fort Kochi.

Girls in pigtails, the bicycle on the slope, the peacock, snake, monkey, and elephant even the alligator from the lake feature happily.

Friends, men and women, are all there on her canvas which is bright and beautiful. What strikes the viewer is the unfettered flow of colours and emotions. It comes out stark.

She does not dwell on lines, details, designs, expressions but in broad strokes and splashes of colour captures the spirit of the place and its people. A clear flow of energy and vibrancy of colours charms and delights.

Latha took a year to do the works. Her originality stems from the fact that she has never learnt even the basics of art. She says she liked what she saw her artist husband doing on the canvas. Her unabashed appreciation of art and its love for it has finally found fulfilment.

A childlike wonder that emanates from an unconscious, uncontrived approach is the most enduring fact about the works on show.

The show is on till January 23.

[vjkrishn]

Finely etched imprints

The prints by Sapna Sharma, with their archaic motifs, are new to us. Be it the dry point or etching technique, the figurines have a certain distinctive feel. Incidentally, dry point, etching and collography are the techniques used for print making.

In dry point, prints are made on metal plates like copper, while in etching, zinc is the base metal. Hard needles are used to make lines in the metal. Over that, printing ink is applied and an impression is made. In the case of collography, cardboard replaces the metal. Sapna's exhibition of prints, titled 'Chapa,' is going on at the Chaithanya Art Gallery.

Motifs in circular and triangular forms are the recurrent themes. The artist, who hails from Rajasthan, says, “I have drawn inspiration from 'devra', a Rajasthani form associated with the deities which can be seen on the roadsides there."

Meanwhile, there is a series of circular images, titled 'Energy'. “We can get energy from circular figures,” she says. “This concept is attributed to the power of the sun.”

Sapna brushes aside the tendency to associate print making with craftsmanship. “It is an art form by itself,” she says. “Print making is far more strenuous than painting which is usually done on the canvas. Once it is done with finesse, the result is overwhelming.”

Faces, etched in dry point, appear like pencil sketches. There are girls and women with varying emotions. One of the striking ones is the 'Woman seeing Moon.' “I have always been fascinated by the moon,” says the artist, who is also a teacher in a girl's school in Delhi. “So, I have portrayed the changing nuances in the behavioural pattern of women.” Some of the other exhibits include monoprints, mixed medium compositions, and paintings with manuscripts. There are very few artists who do print making in Kerala, and the number of women artists is even less. “The main reason is the difficulty in maintaining a studio and a print machine,” she says.

This is her second exhibition in Kerala. The first was held at the Lalit Kala Akademi, Thrissur, last year. She says that her works are getting a good response and the people are showing enthusiasm to know about the techniques of print making.

The exhibition continues till January 27.

[vjkrishn]

KERALA FOLKLORE THEATRE AND MUSEUM




THEATRE



SCULPTURES



MURAL ART



MASK AND GEAR



ART COSTUME

Located on Thevara Ferry road in Cochin, Kerala Folklore Theater and Museum welcomes you with a big kalvilakku (stone lamp). As you pass the kalvilakku, you will be greeted by elephant statues on either side of the steps leading to the massive multi-storey traditional building. The interiors are designed in the Kerala temple architectural style. The entire structure is made of wood and laterite stone with antique architectural objects.

Kerala Folklore Theater and Museum is for architectural enthusiasts who wish to explore places with a touch of traditional designs. It was started by Annie George and George Thaliyath, who have an antique shop in Mattancherry, Cochin. They started this in early 2009 to promote the traditional art forms of South India.

The building in which the theater and museum is located is constructed in three different architectural styles - Malabar, Colonial and Travancore. Each of these styles depicts the cultural ethos of the three kingdoms of yore - Malabar (north Kerala), Kochi (central Kerala) and Thiruvithankoor or Travancore (south Kerala). The ground floor of the museum is done in the Malabar style and showcases masks, costumes, tribal jewelry, puppets and Raja Ravi Varma paintings from the nineteenth century.

The first floor has colonial style architecture with arched windows reflecting Kerala architecture in the late 16th and 17th centuries. Here you will come across a performance theater called Kalithattu, where folk art performances like string puppet, Kalaripayattu (martial arts), Thira (ritualistic art form performed during temple festivals), Pavakathakali (glove puppetry) and Kaalakali (tribal art form) are organized. The floor above is made in Travancore architectural style with a mix of murals and paintings on the ceilings and walls. This has been made completely of wood with the four walls as the only support for the massive wooden ceiling.

Apart from the folklore theaters on each floor, Kerala Folklore Museum has various antiques that showcase the history, tradition and cultural differences in different parts of the country, especially South India. There are costumes of dance forms like Mohiniattam, Bharatnatyam, Kathakali, Thullal, Koodiyattam and Theyyam, antique properties including the oldest Bible from churches and temples across Kerala, old writing instruments, antique chairs etc.

[vjkrishn]

‘Roots’ at Bindi Art Gallery

Kochi art galleries have been hosting some great works since the past few months. Providing ample opportunities for budding artists, painters, photographers etc., the art works that are exhibited are excellent and unique. Bindi Art gallery is one amongst the most looked up art galleries in the city. They showcase some splendid works which have been widely acclaimed.

This month, Bindi art gallery is showcasing the exhibition ‘Roots’ where you can to witness some classy art works from young students. Works of Ashil Antony, Aby Edassey, Mona Mohan, R. Anagha, and P. Ramesh will be put up. The exhibition begins on the 9th of January 2012 and will on till the 14th of this month. These young artists are pursuing their final year BFA from R. L. V. College Thripunithura.

[vjkrishn]

‘Paintings and Paperworks’ at David Hall Art Gallery

Art-lovers have something to look forward to. David Hall Art Gallery is coming up with a remarkable exhibition of some wonderful artists. And this time, we have Mohan Das N. N., K. P. Pradeep Kumar, Joshy T. C, and Benny K. A. The exhibition will be on from the 7th- 24th January 2012 at David Hall art Gallery, Fortkochi. The gallery will be open from 10 a.m to 7. p.m everyday except Mondays.

K. P. Pradeep Kumar’s works are generated from certain issues of spiritual + corporeal, individual + social and psychic + existential conflict or crisis on individuals under transcendental contemporary circumstances. Subject matter is immediacy rather than emotional intimacy or being in the subject is the experience of being in time. How subject and meaning differentiate according to the time and space is his search. To Pradeep, it is a transposition of subject. Subject is his material of art rather than objects. Joshy is an artist who has shown his proficiency through some spectacular works which have been accepted and recognized across the country.

Benny’s medium of paintings is acrylic on canvas. Through this visual expression he tries to communicate an autobiographical memory of my past. Mohandas is also popular in his field. His works have been nationnaly acclaimed also. He has done shows at ‘Kanoria Centre for Arts Exhibition’ , Jehangir Gallry Bombay, ‘Double Enders’ Mumbai, New Delhi, and Bangalore, Contemporary Art Gallery at Ahmedabad, C M C Art Gallery, New Delhi etc.

[Malayaali]

Kochi Biennale finds support among artists

With the controversy over Kochi–Muziris Biennale slated for this year end escalating and the government refusing to provide any assistance, many known contemporary artists of the state have come out in support of the event. It will help develop Kochi as a major international art centre, say several artists. The controversy is unfortunate and unnecessary, which will only help spoil the prospects of Kochi emerge in the international art circuit, they add.

“The event will certainly be a turning point not only for Kochi art but for the entire national art circuit. Like other major art centres, Kochi will get a space on the international art map,” says renowned artist Rajan M. Krishnan. “The event will introduce contemporary international visual art practices to the local artists. The practising and emerging artists can immensely benefit from the show,” he adds.

There have been charges of financial misappropriation. And, Rajan says it is the responsibility of the Biennale Foundation to make the fund utilisation transparent. “They should come clear on the alleged misappropriation in fund utilisation.” Noted artist T. Rathi Devi said some lobbies with vested interests are behind the controversy and do not want the event to happen here. “Allegations over fund misappropriation are baseless. The Biennale Foundation had already submitted all details of fund utilisation to the government.”

Terming the controversy as ‘unnecessary and fabricated’, another renowned artist K. Raghunathan, said the disputes over the alleged misappropriation of funds were due to the lack of awareness on the huge investment needed for conducting such a mega event. “Bringing the original works of renowned international artists for the show involves huge expense,” he said. Organisers Riyas Komu and Bose Krishnamachari are well experienced in conducting major international art shows, he added.

[vjkrishn]

Artistically dramatic assault


A work from the show 'Art Assault' on at Hallegua art Gallery, Jew Town, Kochi.

Three artists and three varied sensibilities come together to form a stirring show

The multi-spaces of Hallegua D Art Contemporain art gallery in Jew Town looks amply filled with varied works of three artists – Col. Suresan V.P., Nandan V. P. and Sivasankar.

Except for Nandan, who is an active art director in Bollywood, the other two have used the brush as a tool to comment strongly. It is art activism on their canvas and the show is aptly called ‘Art Assault'.

Eye-catching

Col. Suresan wields the brush to paint socially relevant issues like Mullaperiyar in the work, ‘Drowning'. An abstract he creates the imaginary swell through bold blotches of colour. It is an eye catching work.

His brother Nandan takes the viewers on a Buddha trail, while Sivasankar seems to lambast the present world situation through succinct stringent strokes. All three tell their stories in dramatic, interesting ways, both thematically and in style.

Being a former army man, Col. Suresan's patriotic zeal comes through clearly in his works. For him the nation comes first, as it should for everybody he believes. In a poignant work he paints blood on crushed Gandhi spectacles, as legs walk away from them after the misdeed.

It is a pointer to a generation moving away from Gandhian ideals. In ‘What Next' he takes you through the evolution of man from the jungle age to the cyber age.

What does the future hold he questions? ‘Remove your shoes', is a heart rending work of irony where a lame man sits minding over shoes left behind by people entering a holy precinct.

The loss of identities is the theme in a work where urbanisation has blurred individualism and society is an indistinguishable herd. But if one feels that the artist sees just gloom and doom it's not so. Happy hope surfaces in ‘Tunnel of Hope', as a group of people walk in a dark tunnel towards light budding at the end. Suresan likes to title his works and convey unambiguously his line of thought.

He uses rollers skilfully to create a marble wash effect. This he says is his trademark. He also uses the palette knife to dramatic effect.

‘The Sliced Life', ‘Last rites of the Earth'- with its disturbed background, ‘Pilgrimage' with pilgrims being drawn towards their spiritual quest unconsciously, ‘Journey towards Eternity', a soothing work about human life, ‘Neros of the New Age' is about the blinkered world of geeks while the world burns with problems, Thirst is about the commercialisation of water. As people queue for water at street taps, a kiosk happily sells bottles of it.

Tumultous canvas

The common idiom that threads Nandan's works is the Enlightened One - Buddha. All the works, except one, have his serene calm face, almost a salve to the tumult in the canvases of the other two artists. A contrasted band depicting in detail stories from the life and times of Buddha is another constant in his works.

But the catch in these apparently tranquil works is the expressionless face of Buddha. He is neither sad nor happy but indifferent to the state in which his people have placed themselves.

Sivasankar's painting style is unique. He makes small dashes, thick, thin, bold, broad, narrow ones and creates a mosaic that gives stirring movement. In a work where a man is carrying a burden, ballooning from his bent shoulders, he says wittily, ‘that's my wife'.

Through the maze of colour cubes is a hidden face. Hidden faces appear stealthily in all his large canvases. A work that he is doing currently at the gallery is political.

A dead Karl Marx is surrounded by an ideology that's withered away. The artist does not feel let down but on the contrary says the ideology was wanting because it kills individualism and sidetracks spiritualism.

A self-taught artist Sivasankar recollects childhood images like, a dirty moss ridden wall to be a source of inspiration. In a work that is the artist's version of apocalypse he paints human beings moving to a safer haven, to another planet, leaving behind mute animals. The artist says he chooses to stay behind and tell the world about their plight. An artist must talk for the meek, he believes.

Guilt, even shame, troubles the viewer. But it also fires an incentive to the viewers to be the change. In that the asrtists have been highly successful.

As all works are large they are priced at Rs.25, 000 upwards and the show is on till the end of the month.

[vjkrishn]

Myriad hues of creativity


Eclectic hues, art show at Durbar Hall gallery, Kochi

The question, ‘why art?', keeps haunting you as you go from one work to another at the Durbar Hall Art Gallery. ‘Eclectic Hues', an exhibition got up by Kalarang and Art Mantram, is on there. Twenty six artists are showing 58 works. So you have 26 styles. No, more than that as some artists, who have more than two works, have attempted different styles. For the general public, who may not be scrutinising, who does what better, it's a rich experience.

Different moods

Some plainly please you, others turn you off, a few make you think, laugh, wonder and some disturb you no end. You walk past some because they evoke no feelings whatsoever, either the message is not clear, clothed in undecipherable pictorial vocabulary or simply because they don't evoke any interest.

When viewing a work, should the artist be around to help you understand the work? What's a painting, photo or a sculpture worth, if the viewer does not understand it and the artist has to explain it to you? On the other hand if a viewer does not understand a work, is he/she unintelligent? Does snobbery exist somewhere in the scene? Something about the Emperor and his clothes or non-clothes comes to mind. All these questions or doubts have more than one answer or have no answers. (Very much like some works of art!)

For instance,V. B. Venu, who has moved away from his earlier style, has put up a few water colours, small works which express divergent views. In one, masks hung on a balloon-stand and masks flying off, and two figures, speak much. But speak what? It could be that all human beings have masks on when they meet in public, that you never know what people are deep inside them, that the world is full of people with masks or it could even have political overtones. But Venu is not at hand to explain, just as Manash Ranjan Jena's work too, which has a pretty girl, with deep set eyes and six other heads by the side, with red ribbons flying from her hair, a sword in hand and plenty of patterns adorning the body and attire. But the whole impresses.

This situation gives the viewer a certain freedom to interpret the works and revel in it? I did revel in my own interpretation, as perhaps many others did.

The abstracts give you so much scope to imagine a whole new world out there and the mysteries on the canvas prod your grey cells to conjure up heavenly landscapes or the depths of hell. Contemporary issues that cry for attention fill frames and they do stir your conscience. The rawness of JMS Mani's works stay long in the mind.

Seasoned artists

Veterans Namboodiri, S. G. Vasudev, J.M.S. Mani, C. N. Karunakaran, Yusuf Arakkal and N. K. P. Muthu Koya being among the artists, give the show a ‘must see' tag. Akkitham Vasudevan, who heads the department of painting in the Mecca of art, MS University, Baroda, has hazy, romantic deer in urban locales. Anuradha Nalapat, Radhika Varma, Vinod Banaik from Assam and Jija Madhavan Harisingh are the four who represent their gender.

Of them, Jija (she was an IPS officer) is associated with Art Mantra in Bengaluru and is doing her bit to enhance the lives of artists by getting medical insurance cover for them.

Shaji Punchathu, a Delhi-based Malayali artist, is associated with Kalarang.

His work is also here along with Delhi based artists from Kerala like Madhu V. Homegrown artists T. Kaladharan, G. Rajendran, A. S. Sajit, R. Babu, Santhosh Ashramam, Suresh Kuthuparambu, Sumesh Kamballur, Saju Thuruthil, Bahuleyan C. B. are among the 26.

The Bengaluru-based artists, Mukund Kumar and Narendra Raghunath are showing too.

Performance art

Narendra is into performance art installation and is drumming up support for his movement in relation with the visual culture. Narendra and his friend sat, wrapped up fully in white cloth, as a ‘deliberate elimination of ‘visibility' of the performer's body, at Faculty of Arts and Humanities, CEPT University, Ahmedabad.

‘Eclectic Hues' is on till January 11. Get your fill of art.

[Malayaali]

Life through paintings and paperworks

Work of N N Mohandas at David Hall Art Gallery

Their reflections on life, memories and hopes, happiness and sorrows are all there, at David Hall, Fort Kochi, in colours bright and dull, on canvas and paper. The quartet, who are showing their works are N.N.Mohandas, K.P.Pradeep Kumar, Joshy T.C. and Benny K.A. Of the 21 works in the show called ‘Paintings and Paperworks', 12 are oil paintings of Mohandas, both big and small.

The middle aged Mohandas, who has gone through several artistic phases, strikes one as different from the crowd. He does not resort to bombastic explanations about his work, or seek to portray ‘in vogue' views, that he does not sincerely hold. “When people say they want to see my paintings, then I am a success. Otherwise, it's my fault if people do not want to see them. Children always understand the language of pictures. They enjoy what I paint, and I am happy,” says the maverick, most of whose works exhibited here are in pastel shades, symbolic of the man, never loud.

The frames carry a street, park or a wayside cafeteria, always with people sitting in different postures. It could be either leisure or laziness, but the mood of the people, abstract forms, sitting on the benches or chairs is far from stressed out, so that the easy going ambience is infectious and seeps into the viewer.

Veterans' contributions

Mohandas says that artists of the earlier generation like K.C.S. Panikkar and Ramkinkar Baij did so much for fellow artists and opened so many doors to them.

“In Baroda, where I studied, we were allowed to grow as we wanted. Nobody forced anything on us. We were just guided by our teachers.” Art has moved on, but Mohandas is of the view that a painting is much more than an investment. But often it's factors other than artistic that prod people to buy works of art. Snob value counts much. The name, the signature is what sells after a point, not the work. There are artists and artists. The chasm between the haves and the have nots among them is widening, just as in the larger global scene.

All these realities make many works at any show pictures of sadness, of frustration and doubt. There are very few ‘happy' paintings. In K.P.Pradeep kumar's huge green canvas, in the centre of the gallery, women in orderly rows and an equal number of umbrellas over them dominate, speaks of spiritual crisis, says the artist. Titled transfiguration, the umbrella is a recurring motif in all five of his works here. Four works, in this series, are circular, pastels on rice paper and feature a prominent motherly figure, or a younger woman, on a tight rope, with snakes somewhere in the frame, the threatening JCB, et al. There are men, at work on grinding mortars, all within the circle, almost like a celebratory flower carpet, but portraying stark doubts. Pitted amongst unfamiliar urban surroundings and manners, the rural soul seeks to go back to the roots. The angst comes through in the drawings.

Joshy T.C has two acrylics which portray the December sky above and the Xmas stars below. Solitude is effected through the lack of human figures and the all pervading darkness.

Autobiographical works

Benny K.A, who works with ‘Uravu' in Wayanad, has put up two untitled works which are autobiographical, he says. The use of space and airspace strikes you. A world where roads, people, buildings etc go unconventionally haywire. A big green cricket out of proportion with the rest, sits in one corner of the frame. I would love to believe that the artist is trying to tell the world about the disproportionate space that we give for the game of cricket in our lives, wasting umpteen man hours in the process, contributing nothing to the lives of fellow beings. All the four artists have exhibited in and outside the State several times, both solo shows and groups. Their works will hang on the David Hall walls till January 24.

[vjkrishn]

‘Expressions 2012′ at Le Meridian

Art and artists have always been cheered and applauded in our city. We have made sure that artistic talents are welcomed with open-arms. And now, we bring some good news to art-lovers in the city. The art camp happening at Le Meridian will not fail to enlighten you. ‘Expressions 2012’ is all about beauty from the canvas. The Art Corridor arts camp makes sure the art-lover in you is blissful when you watch these paintings of more than 10 artists.

You can witness artists from all over the country bring life to canvas through their creative touch. The art camp will be from the 7th – 14th January 2012. You can see a blend of colors and shades put across in the most creative manner. Beauty in art-forms never fail to make us happy. Whatever your mood is, these art-works can help you elate your mood.

Make sure you do not miss this one. You can drop in anytime at Le Meridian art gallery between 10 a.m and 6. 00 p.m. The paintings are waiting for you at Le Meridian Foyer. Don’t miss this one, art-lovers in Kochi!

[vjkrishn]

Strength of a woman



Painting exhibition at Indian Art Gallery in the city

Panthirukulam, a group of 12 artists, has brought out the many faces of a woman at an exhibition, ‘Saktheyam', at the Indian Art Gallery

A woman can be a creator and destroyer at the same time. She can be calm and violent as a storm, she can be mother, the ultimate protector—compassionate, loving and all enduring. A group of 12 artists, which calls itself Panthirukulam, has brought out the many faces of a woman through very different brush strokes at an exhibition, ‘Saktheyam', at the Indian Art Gallery.

Nothing escapes the artist's eye. Right from the women of the epics to the ordinary woman of today, the struggle a woman goes through to assert her identity has been portrayed.

Balakrishnan Kadiroor uses a potent combination of red and orange to bring out the maelstrom of emotions a woman experiences during pregnancy.

As new life takes shape in her womb, she celebrates the beauty of life, her hair spread out in thick ochre lines. The artist does justice to the grandiose of the Mahabharatha, with a flourish of bold acrylic hues on canvas. Kunti's unwavering devotion to the sun God and the birth of the valiant Karna is the inspiration behind the work.

History and reality merge in Benny Cherai's work. While Kerala's folklore is brimming with tales of courageous women such as Unniyarcha, it hangs its head in utter shame and helplessness as crimes against women continue. The fate of Sowmya, a young girl who was attacked and killed while she was travelling on a train, is juxtaposed against the power of women from history possessed.

Panthirukulam was formed one-and-a-half years ago and it has conducted three exhibitions. “We are from diverse backgrounds and have very different styles. It's an enriching experience as we share our ideas and there is a feeling of oneness. We also conduct camps every month,” says Sasi K. Warrier, the curator and owner of Indian Art Gallery.

Panthirukulam had also conducted an exhibition as a tribute to artist M.F. Husain. The group's next project, titled Varshachitra, is on the varied expressions of Malayalam months. “The collection has 144 paintings and it would showcase the different styles of the artists,” he says.

Draupadi

Warrier's oil on canvas represents Draupadi's dilemma. The Pandavas and Kauravas metamorphose into chess pieces as Draupadi sits in the centre, absorbed in prayer. Warrier, who specialises in murals, says he has tried a different style in the painting.

While most themes have been drawn from the Mahabharatha, artists' interpretations of Goddesses and real women too are part of the collection. Seemon Joseph's white and blue acrylic on textured canvas reflects the pain of homeless children who find solace in Mother Teresa's arms. Though the Mother's face is not detailed, the aura painted in solemn shades depicts her saintliness.

Goddess Kali, too, looks her terrifying self flaunting her 18 arms in Dinesh Shenoy's painting. She revels in her destructive power and the bright yellow backdrop enhances the fiery intensity of her rage.

An angel

Contemporary art can baffle as much as it can delight. Lines, colours and forms sometimes blend, making it difficult to understand at first glance. Each time one looks at it, the painting would seem to reveal something new. Ajith Kumar's work has a naked form of a woman, whose hair extends behind her, seamlessly merging with a large black cloud. She has a pair of scissors in her hand with which she would cut her umblical cord. Sajith Puthukkalavattom's work depicts an angel, demure with pretty wings, but sitting on a swing. Women, despite having the freedom to be themselves, sometimes forget to use it, he seems to convey.

The exhibition will be on till January 16.