Painting the walls red

Art spaces

Of late, the walls of the City have been playing host to an array of colours and figures. Over the years, the City has turned into a space that is more accommodative of art in public spaces. But even as a new painting is slapped on, the old ones are left to gather dust.

If one were to walk (or drive) by Malleswaram 6th Cross on Sampige Road, they would notice a large mural on deteriorating building, with the words ‘Ignorance is blindness of the soul’.

Painted in 2012 by German artist ECB Hendrik Beikirch, the wall art is just one of the many that adorn the City and tell a tale, but have not lasted the years.

‘Maraa Collective’ and the students of Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology are just some of the groups who have taken to wall and mural painting over the years.

While most people disparage over the loss of such great works of art, Arzu Mistry, faculty member at Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, is of the opinion that nothing is permanent, including art.

She says, “People pay for a temporary installation, that may last just a few days, all around the world. I’m not sure why everyone is obsessed with the permanent? Is the art on the wall more important or the process it takes to make it? Everything has a certain lifespan, and it could be as less as three hours.”

She adds, “Unless there is corporate funding, where people look after it like it's their garden, wall art will deteriorate. I’m not convinced by this idea of things lasting forever.”
Saksham Verma, a student at Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, says that once a wall has been painting, it doesn't make sense to go back to it.

“There are some people who appreciate its beauty but after a while it gets monotonous. Even I don’t visit all my wall paintings once I’m done painting them. Once a painting erodes, there is no point in repairing it... it is part of the process.”

still pretty new in the country. It helps form a social structure in the society. It’s all about accessibility and if the other person can understand the art. If it's abstract art, the artist won’t be there to tell the people about the work. It's very relative in nature.”

Padmaraj, a doodle artist who is planning to do graffiti on a wall in Jayanagar soon, says, “I prefer doing art in public spaces because everyone can look at it, even an illiterate guy. I like to make sure that all my work raises awareness of some sort, especially about corruption, because that is the main factor at the moment.”

Arzu adds that although it an emerging scene for young artists, there is a problem with funding.

 “A lot of people go in for murals just because it’s cheaper and stay away from installations and interactive work,” she says. She adds that while most people appreciate wall art, they forget about the traditional forms of art in public spaces like puppetry, that have been there for eons in the country.