Museum of Art and Photography to hold its annual art festival from November 30

The two-day event will showcase workshops, performances, film screenings, guided walks, talks and panel discussions

The two-day Art is Life annual festival by the Museum of Art & Photography (MAP), to be held from December 30, brings art, music and culture in myriad forms that will cater to differing tastes.

“MAP is strongly committed to art and we believe that the collections in the museum belong to everyone. An event such as this gives us an opportunity to democratise the museum-going culture,” says Abhinandita Mathur, festival director, MAP.

Since festivals are a departure from the norm, “we are looking at Art is Life as a digression from the museum’s routine, to anticipating a lot of fun and participation with different things in art,” she adds.

Abhinandita and her team have curated events over a two-day period which fall into five categories — workshops, performances, flim screenings, guided walks, and talks and panel discussions.

The schedule has been structured to involve a wide range of visitors, and to this end, the team compiled programmes that would focus on people’s passions and their relationship with art. “For instance, there will be a panel discussion on the hobbies of Bengaluru such as the birder’s club, an astronomy club and one for quizzers. The city is known for its hobbyists and the panel is titled Beyond Nine to Five. It is inspiring to see how people with day jobs take out time for their interests and have built communities of like-minded people.”

Another interesting panel discussion is with family-owned photo studios such as Picture House and EGK & Sons that have been in Bengaluru since the early 1900s. “These are not only individual histories, but where personal histories merge with the history of the city through photographs, anecdotes and more,” she says.

The many performances of different genres that have been lined up are sure to draw music lovers. Among them is a recital by the Bangalore Harmonica Club, which “is a great example of how art brings people together in a sustained way. The performers are of different ages and walks of life who are all committed to art, and having found a common ground are finding a way to balance their lives and pursue their hobbies,” she adds.

“This is one of the aims of the festival — honoring art lovers in the city whoever they are, who may not be confined to the known bracket of the art world, museum economy or art sector.”

Among other entertainment segments will be singer Rekha Bharadwaj’s Voices of Women in keeping with the museum’s permanent exhibition on Women and Women’s Representation in Art.

Movie lovers will find MAP’s collection of film posters, lobby cards, LP records and cassette covers fascinating, especially the old-style photo studio with cutouts and the hands-on session in poster making. Works by filmmaker Amit Dutta as well documentaries on artists, sculptors, musicians and others by the National Film Development Chambers are added draws. “This includes a film by MF Hussain and another on him,” says Abhinandita.

For technophiles there will be digital puzzles, a holographic experience, electronic noise art and more to enjoy.

“With this festival, the museum is honoring fellow art lovers and is moving away from its usual routine to something more celebratory in nature, and it is opening different things for people of different tastes,” she says.

During the festival, MAP will also launch a new exhibition titled, The Forgotten Souvenirs showcasing mica paintings that were created by Indian artists during colonial times. which will be on display till February 23, 2025.

Art for Life by the Museum of Art & Photography will be held on November 30 and December 1. Entry free, but registration mandatory for select workshops. Visit www.map-india.org for event schedule.

Published - November 28, 2024 03:50 pm IST