Art gallery privatisation: stir completes one year

On this day last year, the Venkatappa Art Gallery (VAG) Forum launched the agitation against the privatisation of the gallery through a series of protests, art movements and other campaigns.

‘Sambhrama 2017’, a special event to mark the first anniversary of the agitation, began on Sunday. The event aims to set the stage for creative reclamation of public spaces through cultural programmes, painting demonstrations, interactive sessions among other things.

Member, VAG Forum, Alaka Rao, said: “Our protest was successful with government withdrawing its proposal to privatise the gallery. But we are yet to get official confirmation. Our next target is to improve the gallery as it lacks enough space for artists, functional lifts and drinking water units.”

Sheela Gowda, another member, said they had submitted a memorandum listing 25 demands and recommendations for upgrading the gallery. They plan to hold a 10-day art exhibition at the gallery every 45 days starting April.

On Tuesday, the last day of ‘Sambhrama’, more than 27 artists from all over the country will take part in cultural events followed by streaming of documentaries from the VAG Forum archive. The event will be held at the gallery auditorium from 10 am to 9 pm. There is no entry fee and the event is open to public.