Three gigantic 14 feet sculptures—part of a grand Gond art installation - at the Zee Jaipur Literature Festival claimed their space as the central attraction at Durbar Hall a day before what some have called the Kumbh Mela of literature begins. Volunteers and workers have posted pictures with the sculptures already. This seems like an indication that the works of art will draw a lot of visitors as selfie-magnets.
Three gigantic 14 feet sculptures—part of a grand Gond art installation - at the Zee Jaipur Literature Festival claimed their space as the central attraction at Durbar Hall a day before what some have called the Kumbh Mela of literature begins. Volunteers and workers have posted pictures with the sculptures already. This seems like an indication that the works of art will draw a lot of visitors as selfie-magnets.
"That's what art is supposed to do. It shouldn't remain a hands-off experience. I want people to come, pet, feel them and get the whole tactile experience which is such an integral part of sculpture," Vyom Mehta, the amused sculptor told dna. "This year the art exhibition at ZJLF has Gond art as the theme. I've created seven asuras (demons)."
Explaining the concept the 29-year-old, who has worked with top sculptors in the US and Europe added, "Unlike namby-pamby Gods who run to higher Gods for protection at the first sign of trouble, asuras always fascinated me from early childhood. Over the years as I've reflected on how they run after power, are preening all the time and acquire newer weaponry and arsenal, it dawned on me how alike they are to us. Through this installation I wanted to establish how in our evergrowing greed and hunger for more we have become monstrous demons devouring everything in sight," he added. "I wanted to highlight what this has done to our tribals and the forests they live in."
When questioned over whether he sees himself as part of this consumerist rush he burst out laughing. "How can that be? I see myself as much an asura as everyone else. No wonder the sculptures are called Vyomasuras."
Meanwhile, in keeping with the ZJLF theme of "Royalty," regal colours like fuschia, purple, royal pink and turquoise donned the venues. Designer couple Padmavati Singh of Royal Treasures who has been designing the ZJLF venues since its inception. They said in a statement, "Royalty and Rajasthan are almost synonymous so it seems like a very easy theme to do but that's exactly where the challenge lies. We wanted to borrow from tradition and yet stray clear of clichés and stereotypes."
Her partner Vikramaditya added, "While everything is being designed to look resplendently royal we wanted the multiple languages, demographies and cultures to be refected too. The mix of colours in the awning fabrics, chair covers and the coloured glass in the backdrops helps."
Interestingly, the wings on the golden chairs on stage at the Front Lawns are generating a huge buzz. "Its our way of doffing our hat to the wings of imagination that writers and poets represent."
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