THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Students of B. Arch and M. Arch of College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, did installations using bricks discarded after Attukal Pongala along Kowdiar stretch depicting different facets of society. Tribal youth Madhu, lynched in Attappady, also found a place. They vied with each other to depict the installation, ‘The Truth’ which is a representation of the duality in the society. Dozens of students from other architecture colleges also took part in various brick installations across the Kaudiar stretch. Brahmapriya Raju and Tanya Grace Joshua, first year M. Arch students of CET told DC that coinciding with the birth centenary of ‘Gandhi of Architecture’ Laurie Baker, they felt that they wanted to create awareness against the evils in the society.
“The way we treat the poor in the society and other evils that have gripped the people are highlighted in the brick installation, ‘The Truth’. It was a wonderful experience,” said Brahmaraju. The architecture students were ably helped by Prof Manoj Kumar Kini, urban designer and faculty of the master’s programme at CET. He told DC that Laurie Baker who believed in simplicity had brought out honest expressions where he created social satires against the market-driven building culture.
State police chief Loknath Behera flags off a cycle rally as part of the Laurie Baker birth centenary celebration at Manaveeyam Veedhi in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.
“The installation comprises a core and peripheral skin where the core represents the true solid nature, and the periphery represents the skin of the society. The way we treat the poor in the society, the way we treat the garbage issue, the way we treat the marginalised are represented in the form of the dark pillar”, said Prof. Kini. The stark differences between the haves and have-nots have also been represented in ‘The Truth’. The brick installations were held under the aegis of the Indian Institute of Architects, Thiruvananthapuram Centre which drew large crowds to witness the various brick installations on the busy Kowdiar stretch.
