French artist arrives at Visual Arts Square to find nothing, except a bamboo log, waiting for him.This story was done after I had reached the spot of the annual Bangalore Habba’s arts teaching and display at the St George’s square. I saw a lot of commotion as artists of great repute were dismayed at the pathetic conditions with no tools given to them to run the two day show, all this after the sponsors and the organizers had announced a big sum of more than 50 lakhs of rupees sanctioned to hold various cultural, performing arts and other mediums to promote the heritage to the youth. As usual the reporter assigned did not come to the spot on time and missed the whole action of a French artist who was very cheesed off with the person who invited him for the event.
The story was later narrated to the reporter who had come after a 5 hour long delay when everything was sorted out and the artists had started to work. Back in the office in (Bangalore Mirror) I narrated the whole incident to the Editor for which his reaction was ‘damn good story’, and summoned the reporter who was to cover the event and asked her what she saw in the event. The reporter’s reply was the show was great with no hic ups, to which the editor’s reaction was a pale look into the reporter’s face and asked me to narrate the whole incident of what I had seen and taken pictures them too. The reporter said that it was a small incident, to which the BM editor said you call this small, we invite a French artist and treat him in an utter shameful fashion when a whole load of money has been given to hold the event successfully. So finally it was decided that the reporter take my full version and adds inputs of the organizers reactions to the story to give a whole picture of the mud slinging in the annual ‘Bengaluru Habba’.
The Visual Arts Square at the Bangalore Habba got off to a colourful start on Sunday morning. The square, which showcased the talents of various artists, had many of them coming to Bangalore just for the occasion. But for one artist from France, the lack of proper arrangements at the event was just too much to handle, or even comprehend.Fred Martin, an expert in making masks by way of putting an individual’s face into partially-wet plaster of paris, was in for rude shock when he landed at the venue. He alleged that despite his informing the organizers what his requirements were, nothing was organized properly and none of the material he needed could be found. As a result, he had to do everything himself.
To carry out his form of art – interactive installations – two primary things are required: plaster of paris and plywood frame. “The material should be at least 18 cm deep so that someone’s face can be put into it. The frame is required to hold the wet plaster of paris, keeping it within its very boundaries. But instead of the plywood frame, what they got me was a bamboo log from Bamboo Bazaar,” he added.A lot of effort goes into preparing the material for the masks, he said. The plaster of paris is mixed with water, after which the artist has to make it soft by walking all over it-a really time-taking process. “I have not had my food since morning. Maybe I’ll get time to eat once I finish the clay work,” a visibly –upset Fred said at 3 pm. In the absence of the frames to carry out his work, he was down on his knees cutting the frames himself.
“I wanted plywood frames but you brought bamboo logs. Okay, I will manage with the bamboo log, but one is just not enough to set up the whole frame!” Fred could be heard saying angrily to the event managers around him.“I informed them about my requirements the very day they approached me. All the material should have been here by 11:00 am. But nothing is in form yet,” he said, adding, “I bought six plaster of paris bags all by myself.”
‘NOBIG DEAL’
“It was starting problem… but now everything is under control. This event is a collective effort of the organizers as well as the artists. While other artists started working from last evening, Fred came only this morning… and so there were a few setting-up problems. But everything is fine now,” event coordinator Meena Vari said, when asked to comment on the matter.
OTHERWISE, A TREAT FOR THE SENSES
The visual arts square event, being held as part of the BEngalooru Habba, began at the St George’s Square (Minsk Square), Cubbon Park, on Sunday. Organized in association with the Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, it is slated to go on till December 6.
The visual art square is a platform for artists presenting contemporary as well as innovative art forms. Posing a treat for the senses are an exiting and diverse array of interactive art stalls, showcasing unique forms of artwork by various forms of artwork by various artists. Some premier art institutions from the city, such as Chitrakala Parishat and Ken School of Art, are supporting the event.
Offering a wide range of art activities for people from all age groups, the interactive art stalls features tile & mask making techniques with Dwarka Nath of Rangayana, Mysore; recycled materials art with Amaresh; clay collaborative installations with Kiran Sahi and Roshan Sahi; paper art with Stephen from Vistar; live paintings with Satish and Rizwan; live animation with Lyos Roberts; Nature Speaks with Smitha Cariappa and on-th-spot portraits by art students. There are two art installations- creative accomplishments of the students of Srishti, and visual artists Ravindra Gutta and Jehangir Jani.
SWIM MEET
The Habba Swim meet was organized by ace swimmer Nisha Millet and the Indian Swimming Foundation at Bowring Institute, for participantsaged between seven and 16, on Sunday.
A number of sports celebraties such as Pankaj Advani, Ashish Ballal, Ashwini Nachappa, Shika Tandon, Rehan Poncha and Vimal Kumar, who have craved a niche for themselves at a young age, were present on the occasion.
