Art Exhibition in Dhuravi

Back in January, our friend, Tash, had some artists staying with her. She met them one Saturday when she went down to Dharavi to coach some football (soccer) with local kids. They were in Dharavi for three months, getting to know the community, living there and creating art pieces with the community. The culmination of their work was then opened up to Mumbaikers to experience. I use the word "experience" because what made this exhibition was the interaction of each piece with the environment and community members. The art work was woven along a narrow, winding road, amidst the many industries working behind the tin walls of the buildings.

Some of the art were signs naming the trade happening in a room. Most of the pieces used recycled materials, even materials from another artist's exhibition that occurred the week before in Bandra. One of my favorites was "The Beehive," which was made from materials used to create a wax cannon in the prior art show. In the beehive was a recording of the sounds heard in Dhuravi, which sounded much like a beehive might sound. The red wax was also used on a piece of corrugated tin, which the artists had children through the red wax at the tin. Mediums used through out were paint, sculpture, film, audio, and photographs.

It was a memorable and remarkable experience! The artists are hoping to show pieces in the US, so keep your eyes open in case it comes your way!