Public art installations and monuments beautify, and often impart identity to their surroundings. They can bespeak the collective public conscience, like The Common Man at Mumbai’s Worli Seaface, or serve as gentle reminders of history, like the Gateway of India. Furthermore, art installations created by the general public resonate better with the audience, the latter being able to connect easily with the subject of the art. This phenomenon has been established rather well by the annual Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, where several installations artistically recreate, and thereby bring attention, to public issues and concerns such as pollution, women’s problems, or other realities of living in Mumbai.
With this success in mind, Brihanmumbai Mahanagar Palika (BMC) along with Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has now revived the Kala Ghoda open art gallery, a venture that was shut down last year due to poor response. This year, however, the gallery lining the 250-meter stretch of the Kaikashru Dubash Marg, earlier known as Rampart Row, shall be open every Sunday from 9 am to 11 pm as a pedestrian-only street. Meaning, vehicular movement shall be cordoned off from Saturday afternoon to Sunday evening, according to this report by Hindustan Times.
With 21 stalls that will be open to use on a nominal rent of INR 200, individuals or groups of artists can display and sell their artworks in the open gallery. Citizens shall be able to witness different art forms such as paintings, sculptures, and even the technologically aided robotics. Swati Kali, general manager, MTDC told DNA that “many artists are keen on showcasing their talent at the gallery and we have been receiving several queries. It is an open platform meant for young talent which is why many upcoming artists and students from the city are approaching us.”
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