Introspection through art

Art can be soothing and can also be used to drive home a point and at the Do Din community-driven annual event, it was used for the latter.

At the two-day festival, where the concern for environment and the overall well-being of Hyderabadis was discussed, seven art installations were put up by city-based artists.

Artist Pavan Kumar stands near his work.

Archana Rajguru B., Farzona Khan, Pavan Kumar D., Ravi Kumar Nayak, Sai Sheela and Sweta Chandra, along with artist Avani Rao Gandra who also curated the event, came together for the show Plaster On The Wound.

“The whole idea was to address the well-being of the city. People need to be increasingly conscious about their activities. The installations revolve around that – the wound is still fresh but we are trying to put a plaster on it. My work depicts the sorry state of Hussainsagar; it looks good but once you go closer, you can feel the stench,” says Avani.

For nature: Archana’s work where she wanted to show how urbanisation is becoming a threat to nature.

Talking about her installation, Farzona Khan says, “The ladder represents man’s self-centred aspiration and the steps represent the stress and trauma he faces and through this, I try to raise the issue of a person’s purpose of living.”

Social issues often keep artist Pavan Kumar awake late in the night. Through his art, he has tried to put focus on the current changes in urban life like displacement of open land and how children are deprived of physical activity.

Mirror image: Sweta’s work portrays the relationship between a person and their reflection.

Artist P. Ravi Kumar came up with a video art and sound installation which urges people to think about public toilets for women. “My work depicts the everyday struggle a girl goes through while she is searching for something as basic as a clean toilet.”