Heart out of the box

HYDERABAD: Art has always served varied purposes and gets translated into functionality.  he progress of art from the conceptual to the material or mediumistic stage initiates the functional aspect in art. The moment an artwork is displayed it acquires the function of providing an experience, be it therapeutic or disturbing, educative or otherwise, one cannot discount the role played by art. 

When a fine artist is creating an artwork, she/he may or may not really have a purpose but a compulsion to create. But, once the work leaves the studio and makes way to the gallery and then to the collector’s space, the case of the artwork shifts and starts serving a certain purpose as perceived and desired by the person who hold that artwork. That is what Daira Centre for Arts and Culture’s new edition of functional art exhibition titled ‘Art Out of the Box’ is all about. The show which began today at The Telangana State Fine Art Gallery, Kavuri Hills,  ends Monday. 

‘Art Out of the Box’ is being organised to support Daira Centre for Arts and Culture’s initiative of The Children’s Fine Gallery activities. About 70-plus artists are participating in this show, extending support to the cause of the underprivileged children. Some of the artists are Aasha Radhika, Afza Tamkanat, Agacharya, Aishwaryan K, Akbar Mohammed, Akhilesh , Akkiraju Ramana, Amit K Patil, A Rajeswara Rao, Avadhesh Yadav, Bamdeb Mondal, Bharti Dixit, Bhaskar Rao, Bhovi Avinash, B Nagesh Goud, Chippa sudhakar, Dayananda N, Dheeraj Yadav, Fawad Tamkanat, Farhad Tamkanat, Girish Kulkarni and others

What exactly is Functional Art: 
Functional Art, as the name suggests, is created to serve a purpose – the purpose is mostly addressed in an aesthetic medium which is ultimately utilitarian. In fact, there is a thin line that separates fine art, design, craft and engineering. Why do artists create functional art? By creating functional art artists get to think out of the box which refreshes their creativity.

They explore various new media and ideas which reinforces their creative thinking. Who can forget MF Husain who explored innumerable mediums to create various forms of art – film posters to paintings, interiors, furniture, toys, book jackets, tapestry, films – you name it you have it. Likewise, many other artists have been creating functional art besides their regular work. For instance, artist Laxma Gowd was working with a design boutique creating textile designs for functional purposes.  

Functional art from the point of view of art lovers: 
It is equally refreshing for art lovers to view and acquire art that is created in new media and concepts, especially when art becomes functional, and with no discounts on aesthetical values. 

What is the future of functional art in India?
Functional Art in India is yet to take off. Only people who visited museums and galleries abroad relate to this new dimension of functional art. From objects to furniture to cutlery to books and stationery, the spectrum is absolutely wide as the horizon. The major drawback for artists in our country is the implementation. But, once this hurdle is sorted out the field is just mesmerising for all stakeholders.