Contemporary Stone Sculpture Camp
Stone is the first resource probably used by human being. Stone plays a very vital role in our daily life. Stones are obtained by the rocks and vice versa. Rocks are of many types like from core to crust of the earth. Properties of the rock and stone says about the history of evolution of the man. Rocks and stones properties are innumerable like elements, minerals, gems, metals, sand, clay, mud and many more. Stone was first directly used by human beings like a sharp edge tool which helped in hunting the animals in the Stone Age which is still kept in museums for display. Thus we know that stone is the everlasting substance which withstands most of the possibilities of distraction that we can rely on for many purposes of life. Likewise, the stone is also used in art field.
Art in stone was initiated from rock painting, which later was improvised by engraving and carving which was two dimensional. Carving stone to make a sculpture is much older than time of civilization were we discover many human forms carved out and imaginations are worked over. The technique of stone carving is also improvised by abrasiveness to gentleness with the help of technology. Later on in life processes the rock was unearthed and it was used in art by giving a shape and form by the artists, according to their perspectives in three dimensional form. By then human beings were in course of civilization and had begun to cultivate in various ways of life. Communication became very important part of growth in life which chose the best medium like art. Since art is the best language to express effectively, people chose to paint, sculpt, print and store them for further generations. Sculpture subject itself emerged as a stone sculpture. Stone is a beneficial medium of art because of its unique characteristics like three dimensional surface to express and it has everlasting sustainability. Stones are of many kinds like granite, marble, limestone, soapstone and many more. Marble and granite stones are like the royal form of stones which is hard in surface but high in quality and has appraisable appearance after sculpting. Soapstone is been the best among the rest for sculpting because of it softness and texture, thus it is also known has soft stone. The best traditional intricate stone sculptures of Hoysala Dynasty in Karnataka is in Beluru and Halebidu which is also carved out of soapstone.
In this present era stone sculpture has grown enormously for realistic to abstraction to contemporary style. Stone sculptures are of many forms like subject oriented, convictional, expressional, traditionally, contemporarily based and many more. Trendily contemporary style is given more significance because of high expressional value. Contemporary holds few conceptual base like Site Specific, Monumental, Architectural, Environmental, Modern, Figurine, Mobile and many more. Every concept comprise artist’s view and thoughts over the subject. Site Specific is one among the concepts which is applied more in sculptures now a days. Site specific sculptures are the only sculptures which brings importance of the space from where it is emerged and it is installed. Artist plays many roles while making a site specific work like s/he becomes socialists, beautifier, historian, researcher, observer, environmentalist and activist. Artist learns and involves in the space, research, spends time in the location, thinks ways of improvement for the space, observe every corner and detail in grasping everything to compose a beautiful piece of Art in any form.
Site Specific sculptures are very effective in nature, the sculpture itself indorses like an organ of the space body. Site Specific sculptures came into light in the early decades to endorse the place and to bring awareness on environmental issues like cleanliness and importance of the space existence. Since artist’s main subject was environment, they started making art which helps in improving the human kind. Likewise, Karnataka Shilpakala Academy took an initiative in organizing a State Level Contemporary Stone Sculpture Camp for fifteen days at Aadima Cultural Center, Kolar on the bases of Site Specific topic to bring out the importance of the place. Artists were from a different background of various mediums of art practices and were from different Districts of Karnataka, who took part in the Camp and produced beautiful Stone carved sculptures with the help of fellow artist’s assistance. The program was inaugurated by Dr. V Chandrashekar Nangli – Principal and progressive thinkers of Government Pre university college , Malur; J J Nagaraj - president of Kannada Sahitya Parishad, Kolar and Mahadevappa Shambhulingappa – President, Karnataka shilpakala academy. The artisans, assist’s and others were warm heartedly welcomed by N Shivaprasad - the Camp manager; Indramma H V - Register Karnataka shilpakala academy; N Muniswami – President , Adhima cultural center Shivgange, Kolar. Camp got concluded with a valedictory talk by K S Ganeshaiah - literature and agricultural scientist, Bangalore; M. Mubharak – president of city council, Kolar; Dr. Shivappa – lecturer in women’s pre-university college, Kolar and Mahadevappa Shambhulingappa – President, Karnataka shilpakala academy.
Aadima Cultural Centre is situated in a hillock region of Antharagange, Shivgange, Theralli Betta in Kolar, it is blessed with beautiful greenery and surroundings. This center is been identified for its cultural activities and programs. Workshops and various kinds of camps are organized for the people and children. Summer camps called Chukki mela is one of the awaited event from the people. Few years back there was an art camp organized by Karnataka Shilpakala Academy on Cement sculpture. The space is full of artifacts like terracotta abstract portraits, cement huge sculptures, wall paintings and art oriented subjects like theater, poetry, folk dance, and many other cultural habitats.
