A Sensory Experience For Travellers: 60 Artworks Installed At Kempegowda International Airport

While arriving or departing from any city, people experience a myriad of emotions. Depending on their state of mind or the purpose of their visit, their emotional experience varies. For the travellers to pause, reflect and observe, Bengaluru International Airport has brought 60 artworks on display providing a sensory experience for them.

Inaugurated last year in November by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Kempegowda International Airport's T2 sprawls in an area of 2.5 lakh square kilometres. The airport is built on four guiding principles- garden, sustainability, art & culture and technology. These four key principles were kept in focus for the design and architecture. Apart from the modern state of infrastructure, the terminal is replete with greenery and over 600,000 live plants can be spotted. As passengers stroll inside the airport, they are welcomed by the sight of plants as wall hangings and even on ceilings.

The theme of these artworks is 'Naurasa' which is inspired by Bharat's Natyashastra and the city's rich ancient art & culture. All nine human emotions- joy, fear, anger, love, courage, sadness, amazement, disgust, and calmness come to display in these installations. As per Yamini Telkar, the head of the Art program at the Bengaluru International Airport, the emotion (rasa) found in every artwork depends on the perception of the viewer.

The selection of artworks has been done democratically. It conducted an open call for art installations in 2020. Out of all the 300 submissions in the first call, 21 artists were selected, including 1 from the second call held this year.

Talking about the artwork installation with The Logical Indian, Yamini Telkar says," The artworks located at various spots across the airport give a moment to travellers to contemplate their emotions. Many artists have chosen not to add any meaning to their work and instead talk of it in abstract terms. This also lets the traveller decipher the artwork in their way or as per their understanding."

"The moment you say ‘Vimana’ people think it’s an aeroplane but the meaning is totally different – ‘maana’ actually means measurement. The V+Mana literally means ‘measuring out’, or ‘having been measured out’. In ancient times, the temple was the only large structure in the village. The gopura of the temple, which is its largest element, is called the vimana. I found it interesting that it’s connected to architecture and its larger scale or form inspires a feeling of adbhuta," says LN Tallur about his artwork displayed at T2.

Another intriguing artwork is spot is "The Symphony Of Emotions' by Santosh Kumar Chitraghar. One can see 10 Large Kinnala winged figures which are inspired by an indigenous art form from the Koppal district in Karnataka. Practised for generations, the most captivating aspect of this craft is its use of expressions to convey meaning and emotions. Kinnala toys have also received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the World Trade Organisation in 2012. The artist belongs to a family of traditional practitioners and has been practising the craft since 2017.

Kempegowda International Airport has taken the lead in implementing a Smart irrigation system driven by weather conditions throughout its extensive premises. Furthermore, a Sensor-based Internet of Things (IoT) system is utilized for the unique Hanging Gardens at Terminal 2. These verdant areas benefit from a completely automated irrigation system powered by collected rainwater, ensuring the continuous flourishing and vitality of the plant life. Passengers on their day of travel can register for the art walkthrough. It would be held for 90 minutes and it can accommodate a maximum of 15 people in a day.

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