The idea of putting together this project around life-size seated figurative sculptures for open spaces with scope for viewers to interact with and take them in was initiated by Shibani and Uday Chawla. Their inspiration was what they had seen of the outdoor public sculptures dotted in European cities and parks, during their various sojourns around the world. For me though, besides my own experiences of sculptures in public areas in Western cities, the fact that such works are deep rooted within the living culture of India, was the prime impetus for agreeing to accept the invitation to curate ‘Moulded Magic: Sculpture on a Bench’ exhibition.
The project involved inviting a select group of artists to make a new life-size figurative sculpture each. Unlike most of the modernist statutory, which is placed on high pedestals beyond the reach of common people, this project attempts to bring the public in an active and intimate connect with the moulded sculpted forms/installations. Seated on specially designed and freshly created benches in open spaces, the sculptures in this project, aim to seek public interaction. The works entail space and scope for the viewer/s to see, touch, feel, enjoy, sit alongside or stand behind the sculpture and pose, click a selfie or converse and interact with it.
The focus has been on creating magic through moulded and differently designed solid sculptures seated on benches. The decision to opt for a single figure or couples or groups seated on variously formulated benches has been the artists. The main sculptures have been created in solid bronze or other alloys, while the benches are cast in varied materials, ranging from bronze to carved wood to steel or other mixed and industrial material and the result is this exciting collection of multiple interpretations of one concept shared by thirteen different sculptors. Working in varied media, modes and manifestations, the sculptures are reflective of each artist’s distinct aesthetics and expertise. Shibani Chawla, Founder of Chawla Art Gallery and Sushma Bahl, Art Critic are curators of the show.
Name of the show: “Moulded Magic – sculpture on a bench” – Group Show.
Participating Artists: Ankit Patel, Arun Pandit, Bolla Srinivasa Reddy, Biman Bihari Das, Narayan Chandra Sinha, Neeraj Gupta, Pintu Sikder, Sandip Pisalkar, Satish Gupta, Shipra Bhattacharya, Subodh Kerkar, Tapas Sarkar & Vibhor Sogani
Dates: Till 27th April
Venue: Chawla Art Gallery, Square One Mall, Saket, New Delhi.
Show will move to India Art Fair venue from 28th April