Art hunt for kids in Mumbai

In a massive initiative organised by DNA for an art hunt for kids in the city, from several schools all over the city, 300 students were shortlisted out of 30,000 participants. These 300 will now take the second challenge posed to them by the experts from the field. The experts — painter Brinda Miller, sculptor Arzan Khambatta, photographer Vikram Bawa along with art dealer Tarana Khubchandani sat together to brainstorm the subject that these semi-finalists would have to work on.

It was quite a task for the four panelists and judges. Brinda suggested the topic 'dreams' to which photographer Vikram Bawa asked, "How will kids capture dreams on the camera?" He went on to explain, "Usually in photography, we begin with something simple. We give them an alphabet and ask them to capture the alphabet in their frame. And that is how they begin thinking differently and seeing different things." Arzan adds, "And as far as sculptures are concerned, it will be difficult to create dreams. An alphabet, however, is not a bad idea."

When all the four panelists couldn't agree on a subject, they decided to carry on with the search. The idea of My happiness was discussed. Though, again, the panelists unanimously thought that the topic would lead the kids to draw the structural kind of compositions that they have been taught to do in school or their art classes.

And then finally, after an hour- long discussion, all four agreed on the subject Textures. Arzan pointed out, "Textures will give the kids a lot of freedom and the subject can be well executed in all the three mediums — sculpture, photography and paintings."

35 kids among the 300 semi-finalists will be selected by the four panelists, who would then decide upon the medium of their choice. The panelists will then mentor each of the finalists and also conduct workshops. The best of these art works would be exhibited at Tarana Khubchandani's gallery, Art and Soul.