Artists are observers and influencers of society and culture. By showcasing their pieces, they may speak of overlapping themes and show various sides of the same story so that the world can be seen through different perspectives.
Vis-a-vis Foundation is dedicated to creating opportunities for artists to showcase their works and express their views through various pieces of art. It is a private art gallery situated in Mattancherry, one of the venues of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. Of all the art galleries across the town, what makes this place special is that they display unknown works by artists which deal with unique ideas.
Currently, works of 26 artists from Barora, Gujarat, are being showcased there, curated by Subhakar Tadi and coordinated by Vikash Khatri. Works by Prashant S. Patil, Raj More, Balaji Ponna, Nimesh Patel, and Adarsh Baji are the main attractions.
Prashant S. Patil is an artist who creates art from shadows. His work, titled ‘Memories’, deals with the mystical appearance of the atmosphere. ‘Memories’ connects the present with the past and lets the audience merge with the shadows. “I want the viewers to experience the fleeting sensation of the shadow,” Patil says.
Another artist, Raj More, exposes the widening gap between the rich and the poor through the work called ‘Joke.....r’, with the help of humour. His works are inspired from cities and Bollywood beauties. “Every city in the world has a soul of its own and it talks to you,” says Raj More.
The sculpture by Balaji Ponna, ‘Gopal and Gulam’, is about populist leaders in the country. It also refers to uprooting. Continuous displacement of a certain class of by the state is hinted by the baggage along with the sculpture.
Nimesh Patel’s work highlights that machines and mechanism are integral part of contemporary life. She tries to talk about revolution and reproduction through the work ‘Compass and Divider’. The artist’s idea is to get landscape. Capitalism and consumerism stand out in his work.
Artist Adarsh Baji is heavily influenced by Gandhiji’s philosophy. ‘Silence is My Big Weapon’ is one of his works, in which he showcases Gandhiji’s silence as the most powerful weapon. It is a satire on the present political scenario of our country, where people are acting against the system that Gandhiji had dreamt of.
The gallery is loved by both art lovers and the artists who seek to please the viewers.
The exhibition is open till March 29.
