At first instance, it looks like a burst of colours on the wall. A closer look will reveal that it is an idea, a thought or emotion. Once ugly spaces, some of the street corners have been beautified, thanks to meaningful graffiti works by students of design and other artists.
The students of Srishti Institute of Art Design and Technology have played an integral part in transforming several landscapes across the city.
Amitabh Kumar, lead, art and transit project, says that students do the murals after gaining a deep understanding of the space that they are working on.
"We have done about 100 murals in and around Yelahanka. Some of our works are visible between Palace Road and Vasanthnagar. We have also worked at the Peenya Metro station and are currently working at Chickpet Metro station with BMRCL. Our themes and nature of work are more like a research-based practice. The murals that we work on are site-specific and meant to discover the surroundings and engage the traveller," he says.
Yash Bhandari, a practising graphic artist, points out that more than producing an image or sending out a message, wall graffiti is a spontaneous act after gaining a thorough understanding of the surroundings. "The stories on the wall don't generate by themselves. Every artist spends some time at the work site to get an insight into the space and people inhabiting it. We then project what we have understood after spending time at that space through the art form," explains Yash.
Asked if enough is being done by the government to preserve and maintain these spaces, Yash says that the government is doing its best but people need to cooperate in maintaining these beautified spaces. "For instance, some walls are defaced with 'gutka' stains. To prevent this, one will have to ban 'gutka' at the manufacturing level. I don't see any other way of preventing this habit and saving the walls," he adds.
There are a few organisations such as Jaaga that enable artists to work in tandem with governmental bodies to refurbish certain spaces.
Kamya Ramachandran, director, Jaaga (design,network and art), feels that art in public spaces must be patronised more than preserved. "I think it is difficult to preserve these art works but easier to patronise them. These spaces must be revisited and redone. They must be used as galleries where artists can create something new every time," says Kamya.
She also points out that their organisation provides artists with a platform to work on. "The art works on walls don't remain forever but go away with time. So, it is important to provide an alternate space," adds Kamya.
At first instance, it looks like a burst of colours on the wall. A closer look will reveal that it is an idea, a thought or emotion. Once ugly spaces, some of the street corners have been beautified, thanks to meaningful graffiti works by students of design and other artists.
The students of Srishti Institute of Art Design and Technology have played an integral part in transforming several landscapes across the city.
Amitabh Kumar, lead, art and transit project, says that students do the murals after gaining a deep understanding of the space that they are working on.
"We have done about 100 murals in and around Yelahanka. Some of our works are visible between Palace Road and Vasanthnagar. We have also worked at the Peenya Metro station and are currently working at Chickpet Metro station with BMRCL. Our themes and nature of work are more like a research-based practice. The murals that we work on are site-specific and meant to discover the surroundings and engage the traveller,” he says.
Yash Bhandari, a practising graphic artist, points out that more than producing an image or sending out a message, wall graffiti is a spontaneous act after gaining a thorough understanding of the surroundings. "The stories on the wall don’t generate by themselves. Every artist spends some time at the work site to get an insight into the space and people inhabiting it. We then project what we have understood after spending time at that space through the art form,” explains Yash.
Asked if enough is being done by the government to preserve and maintain these spaces, Yash says that the government is doing its best but people need to cooperate in maintaining these beautified spaces. "For instance, some walls are defaced with 'gutka’ stains. To prevent this, one will have to ban 'gutka’ at the manufacturing level. I don’t see any other way of preventing this habit and saving the walls,” he adds.
There are a few organisations such as Jaaga that enable artists to work in tandem with governmental bodies to refurbish certain spaces.
Kamya Ramachandran, director, Jaaga (design,network and art), feels that art in public spaces must be patronised more than preserved. "I think it is difficult to preserve these art works but easier to patronise them. These spaces must be revisited and redone. They must be used as galleries where artists can create something new every time,” says Kamya.
She also points out that their organisation provides artists with a platform to work on. "The art works on walls don’t remain forever but go away with time. So, it is important to provide an alternate space,” adds Kamya.