'Art work must make viewer immerse himself into it'

Jnanpith awardee U R Ananthamurthy said on Sunday that a great piece of art would tempt one to stand before it and immerse oneself into it. He, however, regretted that exhibitions don’t accommodate such art works.

The writer was speaking after releasing the book 'Vruksha – Vasudev's art and life,' on the occasion of the 73rd birthday celebration of well-known artist S G Vasudev.

“Great works of art go beyond the sense of seeing and make you read them. Vasudev's art will definitely stand in the proud lineage of such art,” said Ananthamurthy.

Ananthamurthy said he was not so well versed with art and paintings. He said he often felt embarrassed at art exhibitions because of this. He said art exhibitions in Europe have seating arrangements for enthusiasts to sit comfortably and immerse themselves in the art.

Ananthamurthy recalled his association with Vasudev. He said it was he who designed the cover page of his first published novel ‘Samskara’ with a new found idiom of art.

Another Jnanpith awardee Girish Karnad, who was the chief guest at the function, said the book was a great contribution to Kannada as no such rich work had come out in the language, documenting a visual medium.

Karnad said Indianness had to be celebrated on the world art stage and Vasudev's work had that potential.