BABUSAPALYA: Kalpavriksha, the Academy of Art and Learning, in association with Mazumdar Shaw Medical Foundation and Artisteum presented Chhaaya, an art exhibition on June 27. Chhaaya showcased the talents of upcoming artistes who displayed surreal stirrings on the walls of Kalpavriksha, a melting pot of art for all forms of creativity (art, dance, music, fitness, and other activities) to be taught and practised.
Internationally acclaimed artist Bose Krishnamachari, also the Biennale Director of International Exhibition of Contemporary Art, formally inaugurated the event. In a land where art is mainly considered to be just an investment, Chhaaya hopes to bring a change in perceptions with its exhibit pieces.
A chunk of the auctioned art works will be donated to the Mazumdar Shaw Medical Foundation.
At this event, art was not just about esthetics but about sensitivity and awareness. Bose Krishnamachari too believes that the true purpose of art is to connect and reach out. Excerpts from an interview with the maverick artist.
What have been your major artistic influences?
Influences? I would like to see inspirations more than influences. I love great minds, I love self-made people. Whether they are designers, architects, artists, it does not matter. Sometimes when I collect art and when someone says ‘I did not understand this’, it is then I begin to understand an art piece.
I am interested in the conceptual process of making an artwork. There are many young talents in our country and I travel around and see their work whenever possible. That is how I look at art. Art is everywhere.
What are the reactions you receive about your work?
Now, I do not get affected by that. In the earlier days, I used to. Even if the reaction is celebratory, I do not get intoxicated by praise So it is my way of seeing the world lightly. Every thing is simple but we make it complicated. Why isn’t an artist,a madman?
The difference is the madman does not know how to channelise his craziness. Artists need to have some kind of craziness. I would actually say craziness is normal.
Who is the audience for your artwork?
It is for myself first and for others later. The thing is, art for me is not an addiction, it is an awareness. For me, making art is a social, conscious, politically important act and an artist needs to know why he is making art. I am scared about certain things, scared of obsessions.
There are three ‘R’s in this world: religion, racism, and regionalism. These three ‘R’s are the most dangerous obsessions in the world. Even God is an obsession, love is an obsession.
Art should not be an obsession, it should be a kind of awareness. That’s what I believe, that’s what I support, that’s how I live.
How can India democratise art?
We do not have public art museums. We have incredibly talented artists. We don’t understand the potential of soft power.
The cultural policy makers in our country have no clue about what brings culture to our country. There are 33 cultural universities in the US itself, India does not have a single one. We talk about ‘Make in India’, but we don’t know how to package our culture.
Every state has its own cultural identity. It should start from the beginning, from the school level. Aesthetics should be taught. Art should be the most important subject. I am serious. When scientists invent, even there, aesthetics are involved.
I was looking at the robotics in Japan last month and it is not simply engineering, it is design. Aesthetics should be included in every educational institution from the beginning. And it can start from home, how you present yourself. You are a blank canvas and your taste preferences, the medium. I can find art everywhere. What seems good and bad is a personal decision.
What was your evolution as an artist like?
There are no straight roads. I believe you need to have financial support from somewhere or the other.
In our country we do not have art support funds. Every form of art should come together, that is how it is possible to understand and appreciate your own medium.
How would you describe synergising with other artists? I learn that everybody is talented.B