Giving art a proper place

As part of its corporate social responsibility initiative, the Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions Ltd extended the Robert Bosch Art Grant to support the talent and work of up-and-coming artists, especially hand-picked from various genres of art.  

A total sum of Rs 8.25 lakh was set apart for the grant. Six artists could work on projects, in different genres, with the Grant and these projects would be showcased at an exhibition after ten months. The six artists are Sonia Jose for photographic and video documentation, Parashuram N for painting, Gururaj for public art and documentation, Manjunath S for signboard art and video documentation, Selva Prakash for photo documentation and Ram Ganesh for theatre. The two institutions that were also chosen as part of the grant were Attakkalari (for dance) and 1 Shanti Road (for visual arts). 

The artists were chosen after a three-month rigorous screening of their work and projects. Metrolife interacted with a few artists to get an insight into their work and past project. Sonia Jose says, “I will be able to complete my dream project with this grant. I hope my project will be useful in creating awareness among the people.” S Manjunath says, “I plan to document the lives of the ordinary people living in and around Majestic. I want to take their videos, photographs and draw their sketches. After this is done, I will make posters and paste them in such a way to resemble a collage.”

The panel of judges comprised Suman Gopinath, an independent curator; Suresh

Speaking on the occasion, Friedhelm Pickhard, MD, says, “Supporting innovation and diversity in the arts is an important part of our initiative. Our goal is to make a significant and positive impact on the community and broaden public access to arts by supporting local artists to foster and energise diverse genres in the arts.”