Centre stage Bengaluru

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Artist Vijit Pillai’s adaptation of jewellery designer Pallavi Soli’s work that will be displayed at the event

This August, Bengaluru will once again witness an extravaganza that celebrates art in its glory.
Art Bengaluru 2012, promises to be larger than before with galleries and artists from across South India showcasing their work.

Not just exhibitions, this year, the highlight is the 12 workshops in various fields like photography, jewellery designing, architecture and others that have taken centre stage.
The idea as the organisers say is to give participants and visitors a feel of the fine arts. “It is not an elitist event where only artists and those who understand the arts can come for the events. It is open to anyone who wants to know more about arts. It is more like 12 days of festivities, fun and frolic at one venue,” says Uzma Irfan, conceptualiser, Art Bengaluru. Being held at UB City, the event will showcase an assortment of works like paintings, installations and sculptures.
Though it is a fairly new arts event in the country, Art Bengaluru has attracted attention of many artists, connoisseurs and galleries. “One thing that is surprising about Bengaluru is the fact that newer and younger buyers come for the exhibition and don’t mind picking up art. That is what we look forward too, as gallery owners in this tough season,” says Kanalan Raja, CEO of Chennai-based, Ayyah Art Galleries. Though the exhibition attracts a large crowd, the auction is something that most of the participating galleries are keen on. “We are just one year old in the business. So we have been looking at showcasing our work at various fests. At Art Bengaluru along with showcasing artists, we are participating in the auction with Bairu Raghuram’s work,” says S.M. Hussain, founder and president of Hyderabad-based, Deccan Art Foundation.
But one of the most radical experiments with art that will be showcased is the By the Lomok moonlight — a fusion of jewellery and art exhibition. Hyderabad-based contemporary artist Vijit Pillai has worked with Bengaluru-based jewellery designer, Pallavi Foley. “It was a huge challenge to work on something like this. I am not an expert on Pallavi’s designs but had to adapt her creativity on canvas. To work on such unusual things is a rare opportunity,” says Vijit.