The main focus for this year’s Art Fest was the Renaissance period and in keeping with the main features of this period, there were reproductions of paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and reproductions of paintings in the Sistine Chapel. The school of thought and stylistic variations of the Renaissance period were brought out very nicely in the paintings, sculptures and art work prepared by the students. Some of the exhibits were simply wonderful, the 3-D effect, the sense of depth, symmetry, and the illusion of bending lines made the viewer think there was a bend in the wall although there was none! Also, there were some amazing reproductions of highly methodical and scientific sketches by Galileo of flying machines. The obsession with angles, geometrical patterns, and accurate reproductions of symmetry in nature were all evident in the exhibits.
An amazing rendition of the spirit of Renaissance by Anahita, a student of mine, who has depicted the idea of breaking free from constricted norms, exploring new ideas, new thought, the spirit of freedom, the freedom to sail on the wings of discovery. This painting is all about breaking free from the constricting norms of traditionalism.
An accurate rendition of a scene from The Meditation Centre, notice the accuracy of the lines that create a sense of perspective, and depth. An amazing picture that is representative of the spirit of the Renaissance age!
An amazing rendition of lines that created the illusion of a bend in the wall where there was none!
The sense of depth, unfortunately not very visible in this photograph created a feeling of being in a three dimensional zone.
Galileo’s sketches are reproduced here. The obsession with detail and scientific accuracy are evident in this collection of sketches. Galileo was ahead of his time and his sketches were a foreshadowing of the things that would be, today a large number of Galileo’s sketches depict the technological advancements of the twentieth century!
The Renaissance age paid great importance to geometrical pattern. This exhibit brought forward the need for mathematical accuracy in arts. If art is seen as a precursor of scientific progress, then the Renaissance age was certainly about combining art with scientific exactitude.
The two guides allotted to me did a good job of describing the features and qualities, and provenance of the exhibits. On the left you have Carishma and on the right you have Ridoo.
These clay figurines represented the importance of perspective. Lined on a table top these clay figurines seemed to be sending out a strong message about aesthetics, creativity and art.
Quelling is a distinct art form that involves the placing of coiled strips of paper strategically so as to create a very vivid and eye-catching piece. I like the ant figures at the bottom, it seems as if they are talking to each other!
This art piece depicts a Athenian school. Seen in the picture are important Greek Philosophers, and great thinkers like Aristotle, Archimedes, and Plato. A sense of depth has been created in this art piece with the two figures in the background being made out of cut outs that have been placed a few feet away from the painted scene. The figure reclining on the steps is a cut out.