Crafty Rastafarians!

Wait a moment and picture this: How does the idea of throwing open the window and feasting your eyes on a vivid vision of street arts splendour sound? Or better yet, how about taking a stroll around the city and treating your senses to an invigorating plethora of street art?

Kick-starting this month, lovers of art have enough and more reason to be upbeat with the St+Art India Festival or the Street Art Festival. With Bengaluru fast gaining a reputation of being a mecca for arts and culture, it comes as no surprise to witness the first edition of the festival looking right at us this month — from the first week of October to November 2 in and around Majestic, MG Road, Cubbon Park, Mantri Mall, Church Street and Indiranagar.

While the public arts extravaganza has rustled up a storm across the country, we highlight a volley of Bengaluru-based artistes about what they’ve pinned their hopes on...

Shilo Shiv Suleman, a Bengaluru-based visual artiste, who’s works are a focus on the intersection of magical realism, art for social change and technology, explains, “This festival marks my second innings with the  St+art India Foundation. I previously had my murals exhibited  at Lodhi Colony, in New Delhi.

For me, it was always about conveying messages that  engage with gender issues and art for social change in India. I’ve always believed this city to be a space for art of all kinds. But it’s indeed a breakthrough from the ubiquitous exhibits, so I am indeed looking forward to making this city my canvas.”

Unfazed by how it will pan out, the artist from namma ooru, who previously founded the Fearless Collective, an art initiative for social change tells us, “For an artist, it’s about spreading a meaningful message. I hope onlookers get what I’m trying to convey through the canvas.”

With 14 artistes from across the country who will be a part of the festival, what’s interesting is that this platform will unleash unbridled thoughts and emotions. Speaking of the same, Ullas Hydoor, a city-based architect who moonlights as a street cum mural artiste, opines, “I’ve always created art that is highly reflective of the prevailing socio-cultural conflicts we widely see around us. Through my street art and graffiti, I want to narrate thought-provoking tales of the ever-changing times.”

Enthusing how he sees the idea as an opportunity to pay tribute to the city. “To me, in addition to this being a leeway to express my emotions, I also see this project as a tribute to the city. My works will entail my daily observations from over the past 11 years, of the little things that make Bengaluru a home away from home. To me, this is freedom in its truest form. And yes, I’m quite elated as I believe this city’s people are open to giving art a chance,” says Ullas.  

Pegged as a first of a kind podium for anyone with an eye for art to join in, the idea brings seasoned as well as aspiring artistes under one roof. Echoing his views on similar lines, Siddartha Karaval, a city-based seasoned artist, who’s previously been a part of notable festivals such as the India Art Fair 2013 and Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2012, tells us, “Though I wouldn’t want to disclose much about what I’ll be doing, all I can say is that the idea is to build a connect. And I choose to do it by centering it around happiness, a universal emotion that we’re all in search of.”

Clearly, while everyone has caught on the buzz, Akshat Nauryial, content director, St+art India reiterates how the focus is to build a connect in a city where all forms of art see a resurgence, Bengalureans today  are already fairly receptive to the idea of public art. Moreover, the people here seem to also be sensitised to local issues and are not afraid to make their voices heard. Hence, the hope is that the work will lead to conversation amongst the locals that are both  inclusive and progressive.”