Arta' gallata in Whitefield

It’s going to be a confluence of art and culture at the Whitefield Art Collective with new art collections, insights, and experiences, to stimulate your senses. The theme Connecting Communities features fine art, installations, a competition, an art bazaar, an art movie screening, a VR auto project, TED talk and more. Watch out for a month-long event where you can catch up with some of the most distinguished achievers in their field from across India. Students, graduates from art schools and institutes and art lovers can celebrate local art and culture and mingle with artists in an engaging and open environment, outside of a typical art gallery setting.

This edition is a tribute to the popular artist, late Yusuf Arakkal. A few of his rare works and a car painted by him will be featured at the collective along with a storyboard showcasing his complete life’s journey. George Martin PJ and Murali Cheeroth are producing special projects, where they are painting a car and a two wheeler. For the first time, students from Kala Bhavana Santiniketan, founded by Rabindranath Tagore, will showcase their work in the city. Students from MSU Baroda and recent graduates of Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology will also be participating.

The dazzling array of art promises to be a feast for the senses. Raj Bagaria, Art Chutney says, “It’s going to be an eclectic mix of fine arts and installations with participation from several independent artists, educational institutes and art associations like Cholamandal Artists Village and Kala Ghoda Art Festival. George Martin’s car is something all Bengalureans need to see.” For those with an artistic frame of mind, there’s an art contest called Art Buddies on this Sunday and also a panel discussion on the topic “Where Art & Design meet Business”.

Artist Murali Cheeroth, Saffron Art reveals, “The idea behind the VR Art Two-Wheeler Project, where I am working on a scooter, is the nostalgia associated with a two wheeler. Earlier when a family used to own a scooter, it was a matter of prestige and the ride was a reflection of emotions like love and affection. However, today the design aspect also considers speed. Through my work, I want to showcase the comfortability aspect of the two wheeler ride.”

There’s also a special pop-up art bazaar with artistic brands, recent graduates from the Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology are giving the basement walls a makeover. Then there is a screening of the National Award-winning film Gaali Beeja. Talking of the 100 installations at the venue, Sumi Gupta, director international marketing and design, virtuous retail adds, “Besides the tribute to the late Yusuf Arakkal, George Martin is doing a special project, where he is painting a car in psychedelic colours and patterns using symbols, signs, graphics – representative of Bengaluru and the life here. Mayadhara Sahu’s work uses antique objects reminiscent of heritage of times gone by. Some of the works by the students of Kala Bhavana Santiniketan portray the ongoing crisis in Syria. Cholamandal Artist’s Village from Chennai is the largest artists’ commune in India and their work uses very diverse media.”

— The Whitefield Art Collective will be held from February 24 to March 24 at VR Bengaluru.