BENGALURU: Do you have a mental-health concern you are dealing with everyday or in fits? At Splatterspeak, a Living Stories Initiative at Church Street Social today between 10 am and 7 pm, body artistes from across the country will be present to help you wear it on your body. Perhaps help you ‘come out’ with your anxieties or lows, and perhaps have you see how your body can help you embrace your skittish mind.
Ankit Vichare a.k.a Rangeela Baazigar
Why this form of art?
Body painting with respect to mental health means more of letting me know a part of yourself and allowing me to translate it on your body. The trust between two people which is generated at that given time is simply amazing. Also within such short span of time you get to live so many journeys. Paints being my favourite medium, it is fun to travel with them.
Is there any skin type that is best for body art?
I think all skin types are suitable. Human body has such nice surfaces which provides us a very good
canvas.
Srinidhi Gurunath
Why this form of art?
The medium is a living breathing entity, a person.And the matter one paints on the persons has the ability to touch that person much more deeper in a way no painting or sculpture can not.
Which part of the body is the best canvas, and which is the toughest?
I would say the back , since it comes close to a 2d surface which is my comfort zone.
The toughest..
Hmm...I really wouldn’t know.
Please name one artist whom you admire. Which of his or her work do you find inspiring?
Sajid Wajid Shaik of forty six and two’s the constant pushing of his own boundaries which I find
inspiring.
Nidhi Jacob Mariam Cariappa
Why this form of art?
The human body to me is like a living , breathing canvas. With all its pores and scars, perfections and imperfections.The act of painting on a body for me, is an act of sharing intimacy, sharing a sacred space and sharing stories, while breathing and living.
Which part of the body is the best canvas, and which is the toughest?
Hands and arms are challenging. My favourite parts to paint are the chest and back.
Which is one body art you wish you hadn’t tried?
Painting Spiderman on a kids face. He thought I was the worst artist ever!
Shruthi C
Why this form of art?
The idea that it’s a temporary canvas is appealing- eventually you’ll have to bathe and wash it off, but until that point, you have something you can cherish. Sort of like a reminder that states of mind are temporary.
Which part of the body is the best canvas, and which is the toughest?
Have tried to paint over skin that had body hair before, and that was a challenge because the hair kept getting in the way and dragging the paint around.
Body art you wish you hadn’t tried?
I regret nothing.
One artist you admire?
George Mathen, it is trippy, engaging stuff.
Ardra Narayanan
Why this form of art?
When I was in boarding school painting on myself was a joy that I felt couldn’t be taken away from me. I was struggling with a lot of issues at the time, both mental and physical. There’s something special about being allowed to paint on someone else, that’s an opportunity that I always seize. It’s both intimate and extremely public at the same time.
Which part of the body is the best canvas, and which is the toughest?
Feet are the hardest to paint. But honestly, any part of the body is a perfect canvas.
Is there any skin type that is best for body art?
Preferably one that won’t react to the paint :P