As Kala Ghoda Arts Festival celebrates 25 years, the nine-day festival has a variety of arts and cultural sessions, workshops and heritage walks but not without the art installations. Celebrating the horse in so many different forms that are artistically represented by artists from all over, you will be left in awe if you are simply open to interpretations. If you are still to visit the festival before it gets over on February 2, here's a guide to make the most of your visit this weekend as you explore art and more
Updated On: 2025-01-31 11:01 PM IST
Compiled by : Nascimento Pinto
Happy Birthday
A large Ambassador-sized cake greets you at the entrance as it marks the 25th anniversary a celebratory cake titled 'Happy Birthday'. Created by artist Hetal Shukla, it says, "This art installation makes a satirical statement about the political banners that are a rampant feature on the streets throughout the state. The artwork humourously mimics these garish banners, which are often an eyesore on the cityscape.
The Force Within
Titled 'The Force Within', Mumbai-based artist Bandana Jain showcases hands with a galloping horse emerging from within that she has artistically made with corrugated cardboard. The installation, she says is a testament to resilience, passion, and the spirit of community. While the galloping horse is a symbol of boundless energy and progress as it charges forward with unstoppable force, the hands represent shielding and nurturing of the festival through its many challenges over the years.
Half and Whole
Made by the students of Sasmira's Institute of Design and Textiles, 'Half and Whole' is a unique concept that explores the centaur - half horse and half human, to explore the two distinct entities, as it also represents the two coming together to create a new complete entity. Creatively using their skills, they have used zippers, to symbolise the creation of a bond; measuring tape to signify precision and accuracy and the measurement of various aspects of life like happiness, growth and more; the installation also has scissors to symbolise transition, and the last is patchwork to showcase the sewing together of pieces and embracing beauty from what might seem fragmented.
Tidetales
An interpretation of the horse in the form of the Seahorse, this installation is created from plastic waste by the Living Waters Museum through artists Vyom Mehta, Sukrit Sen, Raman Lohar and Thomash Changmai. The art installation is an aim to be a call to action about the catastrophic impact of microplastics and challenges us to reflect on our relationship with the ocean, according to the artists.
The Timeless Gallop
Another one created by the students of Mumbai's PV Polytechnic SNDT Women's University, this interpretation of the horse represents life, always running and in motion driven by speed and progress. The colourful installation was an immediate favourite as it caught many people's eye. It is inspired by WH Davies's poem Leisure, and aims to encourage people to reflect on finding balance between moving forward and living in the moment.