VAG Forum marks one-year stir for gallery with creative acts

The third and last day of 'Sambhrama 2017' celebrations organised by Venkatappa Art Gallery (VAG) Forum ended with scintillating art performances by artists from across the country on Sunday. 

Around 27 artists from Kashmir, Kerala, Assam, Goa, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and other places performed live art or performance arts with the theme 'space'. While some acts were spontaneous, others were planned by artists days ahead.

Sridhar Gangolli, an artist from Kundapur used the gallery space for his performance art on the subject 'meditation'. As he sat cross-legged, many people joined in, symbolising the strength of silence in the wake of difficulties.

The event was co-curated by Smitha Cariappa, Suresh Lumar, Irene Muller and Dorothea Rust. The three-day festival that began on Sunday, was held to commemorate the successful completion of VAG Forum's one-year struggle against privatisation of the gallery.

VAG Forum members said that this is the first time a marathon performance was held inside the gallery for art actions on Sunday. "The event started off at 10 am and went on till 9 pm. The artists were given a choice to use the space in creative ways and perform on anything," said member, Suresh Kumar.

Manu Tekkiedil, one of the visitors at the gallery on Tuesday said that it is his first visit to the art space.

He added that he was overwhelmed on seeing the efforts made by VAG Forum members. Documentary videos on historic protests and actions on Tuesday were also projected on the walls of the gallery.
 
Rust, a co-curator from Switzerland who came specially to take part in Sambhrama celebrations, said that she had earlier visited the gallery in 2011 and maintains a healthy bond with VAG Forum members.