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Kala Ghoda Art Festival 2008 - A Photographic Journey!

Kala Ghoda is the Art District of Mumbai. Every year for the last 10 years it has been hosting the Kala Ghoda Art Festival(KGAF). I had never been an admirer of art, be it paitings, sculpture or photography. But all this changed the day i started blogging. I can surely say that Blogging lighted that creative fire within me, and a seed (of appreciating art) was sown. Two years back, i had my first KGAF experience and i was thoroughly amazed at the art at display, the literary events, the workshops, the foreign films being shown for free, basically a fun filled 9 days for the Art Lover, a term i never associated myself with. I missed it last year as i wasnt in town, so this year i was really looking forward to it. Finally, it started yesterday! I would like to take you all on a photographic journey of various facets, various arts on display at the KGAF.

Makkad Manav - This was a steel structure just behind the Max Mueller Bhavan. well its not exactly a depiction of spider man, but thats how i saw it, a honey been in mans avataar would be a more apt description, but then i would never get to use the heading. Anyways, lovely piece of art and HUGE in size.

Giant Wheel - I found this piece of art particularly interesting. Here you have a life sized Giant wheel, but the seats are missing, replaced by the bicycles and 'Dabbas'. Whats interested me in this piece of art apart from the obvious, was that the artist used bicycle with wheels. Now if we take the structure of the Giant Wheel and that of a single wheel of a bicycle, what do we get? A same structural skeleton. Same central axis, same spokes.

Dabbas + Prayer Wheels - This was a unique artifact, where in normal Dabbas were placed in such a way that they resembled the Prayer Wheels [sans the 'Om Mani Padme' embossing] we come across in Buddhist monasteries. It was so pleasing at the same time so innovative.

Bottle Art - Seen above are life size soft drink bottles, in different shapes. The yellow bottle seemed like a peeled banana on first sight and also the red structure in front dosent make sense till one sees its ends.

TAARE ZAMEEN PAR Moment - Need I say more?

5 Beauties on a Pot - These beautiful pots were displayed at one of the stalls. It has some really lovely painting on them, like the 5 beauties seen above.

The Boot Mafia - Seemed like this boot wanted to make a fashion statement, so it decorated itself with little ceramic booties. It looked unique, wonder whose foot it would fit, any volunteers? Beside this big boot there were some really innovative shoes, chappals, which may come in vogue in the coming fashion seasons. If they do, remember you saw them first at KGAF.

Look Ma, I Planted a Sapling! - I thouroughly enjoyed this particular kids section at the parking lot. Kids were digging mud, placing the sapling in the pot, pressing onto the loose mud, then watering the sapling. Having done this, the smiles on their faces were priceless!

Sketch Artists in their element - Its a sheer pleasure to watch the sketch artists at work. What was a blank piece of paper is turned into an exact replica of the person sitting in front of the artist, with just a piece of charcoal. The resemblance as can be seen is uncanny!

Live Pottery was a huge draw amongst the audiences. Watching the piece of clay metamorphse into a hollow pot by the touch of trained as well as novice hands, while the motorised wheel rotated, was a joy in itself.

Photographers in Action - Last in the series, i would like to show what i also went through in compiling this blog. Jokes apart these were pro's in their element.

Before taking off i would like to state that this just a gist of what one can expect at the Kala Ghoda Art Festival 2008. There are many things to see. I cant post all the pictures as it would take too long to load the page. I havent posted many things from the fest. Apart from the art on display, theres lots more going on in the form of Book Launches at the David Sasson Library; World Cinema being shown at various locations like Eros Mini theatre, Cama Hall; Theatre happening at NGMA Auditorium; Music Fest at the Amphitheatre and Horniman Circle. [I apologise to non-Mumbaikars as i have got too technical in terms of locations in this para.]

Would like make a definite mention of a display of Photographs by Visually Impaired Children. I was amazed at the vision of these visually impaired, and was just thinking that if inspite of their disability these kids made such wonderful photographs, then i havent even touched the tip of the iceberg. It just amplified my respect towards these kids and towards photography.

All in all a treat for the senses! Go ahead and enjoy. The fest is on till the 9th of Feb, 2008.

Take Care,

Ciao