vandalism via installations at Kala Ghoda Festival in Mumbai

Mentation behind the installation art: “Art Attack”

“Our thought process was spurred by the growing concerns shared by artists and society at increasing acts of art vandalism in various parts of the world. To highlight some recent incidents in European countries, we saw the vandalism of Monalisa, Girl with The Pearl Earring, Sunflowers by Van Gogh, The Last Supper, Haystacks by Monet, etc. 

Although the protestors say that they believe in non-violent protest to force people to quit the production of fossil fuels, the attempted vandalism is in fact an act of violence against the culture of art. We also wanted to share a deep concern over other forms of art vandalism that happen across India in places of historic and cultural importance where we see people writing, defacing, painting, and spitting that really destroys not just a piece of art but the very culture of art. 

The art installation by Udayan Art Studio and the associated artists wanted to focus on this misguided culture of art vandalism. We believe that art is a vehicle for change and progress while remembering and learning from our past and traditional art forms. This also resonates with the theme for Kala Ghoda Art Festival - Past Forward and Art Forward. It is because of this resonance that we believe it is necessary to talk about the culture of art vandalism in all contexts and hence that is what the installation focuses on.”

Top row: Aishwarya Parab and Spandan Nath, Bottom row: Satinath Das and Anjali Nair. Right column: Arti Raj

You can indulge in her team’s installation art called “Art Attack” at Cross Maidan, near the Fort area. The installation art has been crafted by a team of 5: Anjali Nair, Aishwarya Parab, Spandan Nath, Satinath Das, and herself.