While this erstwhile city of Palaces is now a city of broken and abandoned walls; why not paint it and gift the passers by, a slice of an artist’s imagination? Berger Paints tried doing just that. Kolkata Street Art Festival is an attempt to fill the city walls with art, created by Barun Saha and his students, spearheaded by eminent artist and TMC MP Jogen Choudhury.
During phase one of this Kolkata Street Art Festival, they aim to paint 10 walls, 3 metro stations, and 2 trams; both the metro and the tram being iconic. Slowly, they want to take it to the other cities. Of the 10, a selected few bloggers were shown 5 across the city; and they are inspiring!
For the phase one of the Kolkata Street Art Festival, Berger Paints has teamed up with StraightlineIndia and Radio Mirchi. By default, they had to bring on board stakeholders like the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, the local police stations, and the local clubs; all of them have pledged the preservation of the artwork once completed. Phase one should be completed by Durga Puja 2017; this is some quick work considering that it started one month back and the artists are braving this rough weather of extreme heat, humidity or rain. Kudos to them.
Eminent artist Barun Saha and his students brainstormed and thought of artwork relevant to the locality. Like the previous blog post, I would document only the artwork in this blog post.
Kolkata Street Art Festivals’ artwork at the Park Circus seven points crossing
One of the five locations is the Park Circus Tram Depot, vertically opposite Arsalaan hotel, towards the end of the Maa flyover.
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Art work at the Park Circus crossing. Kolkata Street Art Festival.
The Murals of the Kolkata Street Art Festival at the Exide Crossing is awe-inspiring. This also has the art work of Barun Saha, the mentor.
Artwork at the Exide Crossing, Kolkata. #KSAF
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Kolkata Street Art Festival’s mural at the Exide Crossing, Kolkata. The nearest metro station to this place is Rabindra Sadan.
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Kolkata Street Art Festival – Mural near Rabindra Sadan Metro Station; Exide crossing.
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The master with his art:
Barun Saha is coordinating with the artists in the city. This artwork is by him.
Eden Gardens too is adorned with the Kolkata Street Art Festival.
Artwork on the walls of the Eden Garden
The next set of murals is near the Ballygaunge Tram Depot.
The splash of art at the Ballygaunge Tram Depot.
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Two separate art works at the Ballygaunge Tram Depot.
Near Topsia, is a long stretch of railing. It is low, but below that is a series of art work, probably by the younger students of Mr. Saha. I’ll show two of them.
Abstract art at Topsia.
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Kolkata Street Art Festival near Topsia.
With this, let’s hope that these art works remain maintained and no one spits on them; let’s fill the passer by’s life with a little joy of art, let’s make the city look beautiful.
Do ask me questions; not sure if I could answer that but I could definitely forward them to the right person. Stay in touch!