‘Institutions must carry forward the vision of Shantiniketan’

To make great art and to imbibe knowledge, it is important for an artist to spend time with not just artists, but also with musicians, theatre artists, film makers, writers and so on, said Bose Krishnamachari, painter, curator, and co-founder of Kochi-Muziris Biennale. Krishnamachari was speaking at the Avani exhibition organised by Kerala-based Avani Design Institute. Part of a travelling exhibition the event was held at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath and featured the work of several students. 

To make great art and to imbibe knowledge, it is important for an artist to spend time with not just artists, but also with musicians, theatre artists, film makers, writers and so on, said Bose Krishnamachari, painter, curator, and co-founder of Kochi-Muziris Biennale. Krishnamachari was speaking at the Avani exhibition organised by Kerala-based Avani Design Institute. Part of a travelling exhibition the event was held at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath and featured the work of several students. 

Speaking to the audience, Mr. Krishnamachari reminisced how, growing up in a small village Kerala, he used to do theatre at home with neighbours, friends and artists.  

“I used to see fantastic artists in my village. But they never got their opportunity because nobody was there to guide them. Fortunately, I could spend a lot of time later with not just artists or art makers, but musicians, theatre people, film makers, writers... I was fortunate to meet some brilliant minds in architecture,” he said. 

He noted that while it was the responsibility of the students to find their own path, the educator should show not just show their own work, but team them to look at others as well. 

“Self realisation is an important aspect in art, but it’s important to know self as well as others,” said Krishnamachari, citing the example of Shanti Niketan, which he noted was a great example of this vision. 

“We should continue that vision. There should be cafeterias under trees, Schools should be open spaces. Every school should be art schools,” he said citing British artist Bob and Roberta Smith. 

Ravindra Kumar, principal architect at Pragrup Architects and Bangalore director – Design at Venkataramanan Associated, moderated the session. Kumar broughup the topic of technology in art.