When looked at from a different perspective, an everyday object too can project a different meaning.
This was best seen and understood at the discussion ‘Objects and Layers’ held at 1 Shanti Road Studio recently. German artist Alfons Knogl, who is in the City to get a better understanding of the culture here, uses the references of materials like stones to learn about the society.
A presentation on his work threw light on sculpture, furniture, interior design and music, which were seen as forms of culture.
He said, “I am here for two months to be a part of this culture and I am hoping to make contemporary sculptures in relation to the society.
This is my first time in India and I will be travelling to Chennai, Pondicherry, Delhi and Mumbai. I have been told that each state has different things to offer in terms of culture and I am looking forward to grasping these varieties.”
The artist finds the people in Bangalore very gentle and thinks the City has the best weather. He says, “The City is very big and this means the culture here will be very versatile. I have enjoyed my stay so far and want to get the inside feeling of people’s lives.”
Not just the artist, two art students from England too were present at the studio. Their performance tried to understand different relationships with objects.
Wearing a pair of specs made out of plastic, they touched objects like plates and spoons to get a feeling of the object and to understand its relevance in everyday life.
Founder of 1Shanti Road, Suresh Jayaram, said, “Alfons and the art students have come to India under a residency programme to explore the Indian culture and to add more depth to what they see and learn here. When artists from other countries come, they bring in their culture too. Discussions about different cultures elevates one’s knowledge and the scope to get a better idea of another culture improves.”
The students have planned to travel to Mysore and Hampi to understand the life of locals.
He said, “You become a part of the culture when you live in the local environment. These students will eat, live and sleep with the local people to get a feel of how people live here. It is a month-long programme and when the students go back, their understanding of our society would have improved.”