Latest news with #VAG
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Art and the Man: In memory of K Venkatappa
On Kasturba Road, abutting Cubbon Park, is a set of three adjacent buildings that feature in every 'Things To Do In Bengaluru' list. The first, if you are heading down from Queens Road, is a nondescript rectangular structure, with an actual Marut – the first Indian-developed jet fighter, conceived and manufactured at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in the 1960s – in its front lawn, which houses the exciting, interactive Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum (VITM). The second, whose name and purpose elude many Bangaloreans, is the magnificent neoclassical structure designed by Col Richard Sankey in 1877 and painted an eye-catching Pompeiian red (psst, that is the Government Museum, which contains many priceless historical artefacts, and is currently under renovation). The third, a plain modernist building set back from the road and originally designed to stand in the middle of an artificial island, is the Venkatappa Art Gallery (VAG), established in 1975 primarily to house the works of one of the most celebrated artists of the erstwhile Mysore state. Many Bangaloreans believe that the red building is in fact the VAG, but that kind of mix-up is less likely to happen going forward; last week, as part of its golden jubilee celebrations, a swank, state-of-the-art VAG, renovated by the Brigade Foundation, reopened to the public in the same location. His artistic talent – he came from a long lineage of Chitrakaras, court painters patronised by the Mysore kings – was spotted early, by the Maharaja of Mysore, Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, who urged the lad to hone his skills at the Government School of Art in Calcutta. Arriving in Calcutta at 23, Venkatappa spent the next seven years studying under Tagore, alongside peers like Nandalal Bose, the pioneer of modern Indian art, and Asit Kumar Haldar, one of the major artists of the Bengal Renaissance. Like other artists of his generation who grew up in the ferment of nationalism, Venkatappa strove to create a new paradigm of art that was resolutely 'Indian'. But his reluctance to align himself with any artistic school, his rejection of important commissions that did not, in his estimation, compensate him adequately, or interfered with his artistic style (he preferred working in watercolours, when oils, inspired by Raja Ravi Varma, were all the rage in Mysore), and his habit of frequently neglecting his art for his music saw him produce far less work than his contemporaries. He may have faded into obscurity were it not for the Irish poet and theosophist James Cousins (famously responsible for nudging Kannada poet laureate Kuvempu into writing in his mother tongue after the latter solicited Cousins' feedback on his collection of poems in English), who, taken by Venkatappa's talent, recommended him to Nalvadi's brother, the Yuvaraja, in 1924. A royal commission followed soon after – a series of bas reliefs for the Mysore Palace, with a studio in the palace thrown in as a bonus. Venkatappa accepted, but he was by then so deep into his 'Ooty watercolours' phase (during which he produced some of his finest work) that delivery of the reliefs was inordinately delayed. With the death of Nalvadi in 1940, Venkatappa lost his most loyal patron. The new king, Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, summarily dismissed the artist and evicted him from the palace. Furious, Venkatappa sued the Palace, but in vain. He produced no more new work until his death in 1965. That the state government should have, despite everything, set up a gallery for his work 50 years ago, is clearly a testament to K Venkatappa's relevance and impact as an artist. But go visit the VAG, and judge for yourself! (Roopa Pai is a writer who has carried on a longtime love affair with her hometown Bengaluru)
Medscape
08-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Nature Art Prescriptions Support Mental Health in Vancouver
On World Health Day, the Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) and BC Parks Foundation's PaRx, Canada's national nature prescription program, launched a partnership to support patients' mental health and psychological well-being. The new collaboration is the first of its kind in Canada and possibly the world, providing an immersive indoor art and nature experience in an urban setting. Sirish Rao 'We know that visitors come to the gallery seeking more than art — they come to reflect, restore, and find solace,' VAG Interim CEO Sirish Rao told Medscape Medical News . The exhibition 'Emily Carr: Navigating an Impenetrable Landscape' provides an appropriate indoor nature experience for the prescription. Carr's paintings of British Columbia's forests invite leisurely contemplation, according to Rao. Melissa Lem, MD, a family physician and director of PaRx's Park Prescriptions, told Medscape Medical News , 'PaRx frequently receives questions from patients and prescribers about how people who have outdoor accessibility issues, whether it's due to inclement weather or trouble with mobility, can fill nature prescriptions. Melissa Lem, MD 'Prescribing a nature-inspired art experience is a way to make the health and well-being benefits of nature accessible to more people,' she said. 'It's also a way to inspire new audiences — those who may feel more at home in an art gallery than outside — to step outside into nature to improve their health.' A printed guide for the exhibit encourages visitors to 'slow look' (ie, look at each painting at length), connect to the images of nature, and reflect on how the experience makes them feel. Visitors also are encouraged to spend time exploring local parks or getting involved in protecting nature. During the first year of the program, each visitor with a prescription and an optional guest will receive free admission to the gallery, underscoring the initiative's effort to foster social connections while removing financial barriers. Visitors may return as often as they like through January 4, 2026, by retaining their PaRx nature prescriptions. What the Evidence Says 'Nature is so powerful that just looking at images of it can improve markers of health and well-being,' Lem said. 'There's an impressive amount of evidence describing the benefits of nature time across almost any kind of mental and physical health issue you can imagine, from hypertension and diabetes to prenatal care and depression.' Recent studies have supported those benefits. For example, a special issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health entitled 'Advances in Nature-Based Therapies and Human Health' features 11 papers with research covering exposure to or participation in nature and their effects on mood, psychological well-being, anxiety, and social engagement across a range of settings. In addition, a small study published in Scientific Reports showed that photo slideshows of forest had a positive effect on cognition and reduced physiological arousal among university students in Germany. Studies also support the psychological benefits of prescribing art. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis concluded that art interventions led to 'a statistically significant improvement in well-being' among participants, with 'promising outcomes' that require further investigation, such as reductions in anxiety and depression. Most prescriptions in the PaRx program tend to be for mental health concerns, Lem noted. 'Vancouver has a reputation for being a lonely city, and this new collaboration specifically seeks to improve social connection.' Research shows that connecting people to nature not only improves their health and well-being but also can result in fewer prescriptions for pharmaceuticals. For example, a recent study indicated that heading outdoors three to four times per week can lower the likelihood of taking blood pressure pills by 36% and taking mental health medications by 33%. Paula Toledo In addition, some evidence suggests that spending time in museums can reduce stress and cortisol levels, said mental health advisor Paula Toledo, the VAG's lead well-being consultant. 'As we look at ways to buffer loneliness and social isolation, we are drawing on research that shows that interactions with art and nature can evoke feelings of awe and inspire wonder,' she told Medscape Medical News . 'In these moments, when people feel interconnected with something larger than themselves, they can often feel a greater inclination toward community involvement and pro-social actions.' What Prescribers Say Lem said that while it's 'early days' for the collaborative initiative with VAG, which was launched last month, 'two of my own patients, a young woman who's struggling with a new cancer diagnosis and an elder with hypertension and chronic kidney disease, have asked me for nature prescriptions, specifically saying they thought a visit to the gallery would improve their mental health.' Carla Fry, PhD Carla Fry, PhD, director of the Vancouver Psychology Centre, told Medscape Medical News , 'What stands out most is how moved people feel afterward. One client told me she hadn't realized how much she needed 'a place to just be' — no pressure, no expectations. Several others have shared how the exhibit gave them a sense of calm they hadn't felt in weeks. 'A few were surprised by how emotional the experience was,' she said. 'For some, Carr's landscapes stirred memories or longings that had been sitting just beneath the surface. Interestingly, the chance to bring a guest has also made the experience more inviting. Clients often describe going with a friend or family member and finding it strengthened those bonds, too.' Because some of her clients weren't sure what to expect or whether they were expected to 'understand' the art in a particular way, Fry emphasizes beforehand that there's no right or wrong way to experience the exhibit. She advises clients with sensory challenges to wear shaded glasses, hats with brims, or noise-cancelling headphones to limit the impact of other patrons, lights, or ambient sounds that may distract them from focusing on the art. Cindy Hayto Cindy Hayto, a registered physical and occupational therapist at ARC Active Rehab Consulting in Burnaby, British Columbia, prescribes the exhibit to her older clients with mobility issues that make it difficult to get outside without relying on caregivers. The idea that connecting with nature can bring physical and mental benefits 'can be a foreign concept to some, but introducing them to nature-themed art is a way of breaking the ice,' she said. The exhibit provides a worksheet that prompts viewers to sharpen their observations as they reflect on the paintings, and this increased acuity can be transferred to observations outdoors. 'Even looking at the trees from their window, they can see the movements, hear the sounds, observe the winged wildlife within the branches and imagine stories,' Hayto continued. 'The benefits can be immediate, including slower, deeper breathing; lowered blood pressure and heart rate; improved mood, a quieting of the mind. 'The bonus of a second pass for a guest means a caregiver receives a direct benefit as well,' she added. 'Or if not a caregiver, my client has a unique opportunity to offer something to a friend, to share in the experience, and to pursue future opportunities to connect with nature.' Looking Ahead Going forward, Rao envisions the potential expansion of the program. 'Already, we can see that the experience would be even more beneficial if we had the capacity and wherewithal to have regular group classes, a dedicated person to receive guests, or even a resident art therapist. These are dreams we nurse for the future as we garner more support for this program. 'Art prescriptions are best seen not as a one-visit scenario but as a pathway that includes participating in the arts, engagement in self-expression, and social interactions,' he said. 'A recommended 'dosage' would be a minimum of one visit or more per month to an art experience that lasts at least 30 minutes. This is extremely powerful, and we hope that this program can help inspire other arts organizations and medical professionals to collaborate and make such offerings widespread, even normalized.' Fry encourages colleagues globally to think about the untapped resources in their own regions (such as local museums, parks, and cultural spaces) and consider how these environments might serve as extensions of the therapeutic process. 'We don't always need to prescribe medication or a therapy protocol,' she said. 'Sometimes, what helps most is giving someone permission to slow down, to look, to feel, and to connect with nature in all its forms.' Lem pointed out that the new collaboration also aims to inspire more care for the planet. 'Research shows that people who are more connected to nature are more likely to protect it and engage in more pro-environmental behaviors that go beyond biodiversity conservation, like recycling, energy conservation, and voting for decision-makers who prioritize environmental protections,' she said. 'In a world with increasing stress on health professionals due to increasingly challenging practice environments in our offices and hospitals, as well as stresses from outside the healthcare system due to climate change, it feels good to be part of a movement that improves both patient and planetary health,' Lem concluded. Rao, Lem, Toledo, Fry, and Hayto reported having no relevant financial relationships.
Mint
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Aamir Aziz, Anita Dube and the hypocrisy of political art
The problem with artist Anita Dube's use of lines from a poem by activist Aamir Aziz has been best articulated by the aggrieved poet himself in his posts on social media on 20 April. As facts stand, there is no wiggle room for any ethical debate about 'good intentions' versus 'poor outcomes.' But there is a scope to look at this controversy as a symptom of a deeper malaise that's only going to get worse with time. But first, the facts. At her ongoing show at Delhi's Vadehra Art Gallery (VAG), titled Timanjila Ghar, Dube used several lines from Aziz's poem, Sab Yaad Rakha Jayega, as part of some of her artworks. While she attributed her source, she didn't seek Aziz's consent to use his poem. Any self-aware artist, let alone a senior practitioner like Dube (who curated the 2018 Kochi Biennale), should know the protocol for borrowing from her living contemporaries. At the VAG show, Dube alludes to many thinkers—Orwell, Mandela, Freud, Ambedkar, to name a few—but most of them are dead, and their works are out of copyright. Aziz is an exception. In 2020, during the nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, Aziz first shared his poem on social media. It didn't take long for it to become an anthem of the movement, alongside Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz's fiery Hum Dekhenge. At the height of its popularity, Aziz's poem was read out by Roger Waters of Pink Floyd at a concert in London. Already viral on Indian social media, the poem found an instant global audience. If social media virality brings attention and acclaim, it also creates a vast space for exploitation. Not a day goes by without one creator accusing another of misusing their content—from misattribution to blatant plagiarism, these offences cover a gamut of black, white and grey areas. On the internet, it's relatively easier to shame the accused into taking down an offending post or story. At worst, the culprit loses some followers, has a rough few days in the comment section, and then the world moves on to the next social media trial. It's the law of the wild, wild world of the internet. In the real world, though, the rules of the games are not the same, especially when the stakes are high—monetarily or in terms of personal brand-building. Although Dube has tried to defend her action, claiming that her intention was to 'celebrate' the poem, as Aziz pointed out, quoting the poem at a public protest is, indeed an act of celebration. But to put it inside a white cube, with a fat price tag on it, without telling its creator, is cavalier disrespect. Since Aziz's posts, VAG has pulled out the disputed works from sale, but not taken them down at the time of writing. In a statement, the gallery expressed its commitment 'to all artists and their creative expressions'—a textbook case of having one's cake and eating it too. Such comments not only trivialize the gravity of the problem but also reinforce the hypocrisy on which so-called 'political art' continues to thrive in the intensely commercial ecosystem of making, selling and buying art. It has now emerged that Dube had also showed some of her other work at the India Art Fair 2025, featuring Aziz's poems without his knowledge. At that carnival for the elite, sponsored by some of the biggest corporate giants, it would have been a miracle if anyone had noticed such an infraction rather than the price of the work, or the latest fashion in contemporary art. As AI continues to train itself to become better imitators of everything that is beautiful and mysterious, it is critical to have exacting standards of transparency about every stage of the creative process. In 2023, Boris Eldagsen, a German artist, used DALL-E, an AI tool, to generate an image, titled Pseudomnesia: The Electrician, which won the Sony World Photography Award. In a bizarre turn, the jury still wanted to confer the prize on Eldagsen even after being told about the deception, but the artist refused it, because 'AI is not creativity,' as he said. The art of deception may not always involve such dramatic gestures. Sometimes all it takes is a seemingly innocuous slip for everything to become a slippery slope. First Published: 22 Apr 2025, 10:35 AM IST
Miami Herald
01-04-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Can An Enthusiast Go Electric?
Like a lot of automotive enthusiasts, I never really yearned for an electric vehicle. What I wanted (and bought) tended to be sporty, German, and burned gasoline. But then the stars aligned, politically and economically-along with year-end incentives and probably some other accounting witchcraft-and dealers here in Colorado practically started giving the things away. By the end of 2024, monthly leases on EVs could be had for less than you'd spend on a pair of decent jeans. RWD Tesla Model 3s were reportedly going for under a hundred bucks a month. Nissan Leafs were available for nine dollars. And, for a brief moment in time, someone like my pal Kevin could walk into a Fiat store and get a 500e. For free. Of course, there's no such thing as a free lunch or a truly free car. So, if there's one caveat before we continue, it's with the way vehicle registration fees are structured here in the Rocky Mountain High state. When you register a new vehicle, you're required to pay a significant amount up front. The fee is based on a percentage of the MSRP, and that percentage gradually decreases over the years. But with a short-term lease, you're essentially paying those same upfront costs, just as if you had purchased the car, but without the benefit of the future fee reductions. Still, the deals were too good to be true, and I wanted in. My daily driver at the time was a 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan that my wife and I bought new. Ours was one of the very last of the German-made Tiguans before 2018 brought an all-new platform and production moved to Mexico. While it was reasonably fun to drive and had decent punch, thanks to the ubiquitous VAG 2.0 turbo-four under the hood, gas mileage was never great-especially considering its modest size-and it was starting to show its age. Time, technology, and my own enthusiastic heart had evolved. We were simply ready for a change. Our needs were simple: a safe and stylish car for our family of three that could handle Colorado's snow, offer reasonably good driving dynamics, and provide enough power to tackle the thin air at mountain elevations. It also had to pass the school carline test, which meant nothing too flashy, too pricey, or too precious. It didn't need to double as a sports car since I already had a GT4 in the garage. Having just moved into a new home, price was definitely a factor, and now that we had a garage with a 220V outlet, the idea of an EV started to make more sense. We'd use the car for errands around town and the occasional in-state road trip. For longer journeys, we'd rely on air travel or rental cars. We briefly considered a dual-motor Tesla Model 3, but in the end, we just couldn't see ourselves embracing one of Elon's (many) offspring. A Leaf would've worked fine as a commuter but simply wasn't enough car-or range-for us, and it didn't offer AWD. Fiats are fun but even less practical than Nissan's offering. Volkswagen's own lone EV at the time-the ID.4-was relatively new to the market and wasn't offered at a discount. I would've loved a Rivian, but an R1S was just too much of everything for my partner. So we landed on an electric Volvo. But the new XC40 Recharge seemed too small and had some funky details. The upcoming EX90 was too big and too expensive, and the middle bear-the XC60-was hybrid-only and just… old. Our goldilocks moment came when we discovered that a Volvo-adjacent Polestar 2, in AWD, dual-motor form could be had for just $220 a month, with no down payment. If you're not familiar with the Polestar brand, you're not alone. Polestar has always struggled with its identity, and its humble network of showrooms-mostly in larger cities-doesn't do it any favors. Neither does the huge amount of Volvo-sourced componentry in their cars. While the brand remains a mystery to many, Polestar's origins actually lie in motorsport. Formed in 1996 as a race team to compete in the Swedish Touring Car Championship, Polestar later became Volvo's performance division before being spun off as an electric-only standalone brand in 2017. The company's first car, the Polestar 1, was a gorgeous coupe, but, priced like a fully-loaded 911, it found few takers. The more mainstream and much more affordable Polestar 2 sedan was released in late 2020. Polestar smartly placed my local Denver showroom in the city's fashionable Cherry Creek neighborhood-which is effectively one big shopping mall-and the Polestar leasing experience itself feels more like an upscale retail experience than a traditional automotive dealership. Our sales rep was polite and efficient, and the whole process was transparent. The lease deal proved to be exactly as advertised. Even the trade-in offer they gave us on our outgoing Tiguan was fair. The whole transaction took less than an hour, and most of that time was spent walking us through the car's features and infotainment system. Other automotive manufacturers should take note. By the time we made our deal, there was only one car available on the virtual lot. Fortunately, it was a dual-motor model, as the RWD, single-motor car was a non-starter for us. While our car lacks many of the Polestar 2 options like the glass roof, Brembo brakes, adjustable Öhlins dampers, and Harmon Kardon sound system, none of the essential goodness is missing. For us-and for what we use it for-the car is just right. Despite the lean specs, our 2024 model is a facelifted version that includes some significant power and tech upgrades over its predecessor. And, as an enthusiast, there's considerably more performance at hand with our Polestar 2 than in any previous daily driver I've owned, including an Audi S4. For canyon carving, I have my Porsche, though at least here at altitude, the Polestar's probably quicker in a straight line. As a daily driver, the thing's damn-near perfect. The ride is a bit rough over broken pavement, the rear seats lack some legroom, and the audio system isn't amazing, but 416 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque go a long way in making me overlook its shortcomings. The car is easy to live with, well-made, and easy on the eyes. We plug it in overnight once or twice a week, and that's it. I suppose it's what you drive if a dual-motor Model 3 appeals to you, but Tesla-and all its current baggage-doesn't. Which, incidentally, is a position Polestar seems to be capitalizing on in their current marketing. But as wonderful as our Polestar 2 is-and as evolved and superior as the new Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 seem to be-I'm not quite sure where Polestar goes from here. The recent release of its new models gives me confidence in the brand's future, but as Volvo becomes more committed to electric vehicles, it feels like there's less room for differentiation. If Polestar truly wants to become the choice for performance-minded enthusiasts, it'll need to fully commit and distinguish itself, just as Mercedes-Benz has done with AMG. Only then will they carve out their own, lasting niche. Or maybe it'll just become the brand for Tesla drivers who no longer want to drive Teslas. In any case, this daily-driving enthusiast will be first in line for the next one once our current lease is up. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
CBC
27-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Vancouver Art Gallery announces departure of CEO Anthony Kiendl
Social Sharing The Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) says it is parting ways with its CEO and executive director, Anthony Kiendl. Its board of trustees made the announcement Tuesday, saying Kiendl is "leaving the Gallery to pursue other professional and personal interests." Kiendl had been with the VAG since August 2020 and helped the gallery navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. VAG board chair Jon Stovell told CBC News he can't share specific details of discussions with Kiendl, but that the gallery is shifting gears to a different version of its capital project — a new space for VAG being built at the corner of Cambie and West Georgia streets — and that Kiendl had other things he wanted to pursue. "It just seemed like a suitable time to amicably go in different directions," Stovell said. He said the gallery is in no rush to find a replacement for Kiendl. Its deputy director and director of curatorial programs, Eva Respini, and senior director of public engagement and learning, Sirish Rao, will be serving as interim leaders. Stovell said both are highly regarded in the arts community. "We're going to evaluate our leadership requirements and map those on to our plan going forward over the next few years and see later in the year where we end up in terms of bringing in new leadership," he said. A VAG release says Kiendl will remain as curator for the upcoming VAG exhibition, Lucy Raven: Murderers Bar, opening on April 18. A challenging time for non-profits The news comes after an announcement in December that the Vancouver Art Gallery was scrapping its new building design after the projected cost rose by 50 per cent, to $600 million. "Many in the community have criticized it as being overly ambitious, and I think there's an element of truth to that," said Stovell. "We are now, and have been, quite public in saying we're pursuing a more … calibrated response to the current economic climate and the current, actual needs of the gallery within the City of Vancouver." WATCH | Does Vancouver really need a new art gallery?: Is a big, new art gallery really what Vancouver needs? 4 months ago Duration 7:07 After the Vancouver Art Gallery scrapped the design of its proposed new building, debate is swirling over whether the city needs a new gallery. But two local artists — Paul Wong with UBC's Department of Art History, Visual Art and Theory and Karen Yurkovich from Emily Carr University — say the current art gallery has outgrown its home. The VAG has since been seeking a new direction for the building, and a new architecture firm. Stovell said he hopes the internal process of picking a new design will be wrapped up by late May to early June, since they have already received applications with simpler designs from Canadian architectural firms. "All non-profits are struggling and trying to find the correct funding model and how to manage these very expensive facilities, and still meet the expectations of the public," he said. "Where positivity lies in the project is the fact that the city is still very much with us — bless them for holding that very valuable piece of land for us." While he has seen people recommend old department store locations, such as Nordstrom and the Bay, Stovell said they're actually not easier because of the cost to lease and renovate them. The design is changing, but he said the current site — which the city is providing at no cost on a 99-year lease — is still by far the most cost-effective choice. A relay race Stovell said the project started something like 14 years ago, and that every VAG director since then has had a role in it. Vancouver Coun. and VAG trustee Sarah Kirby-Yung likened the process to a relay race. "You have a baton and you're handing it off to different people along the way," she said. "Anthony Kiendl joined the VAG during COVID, a very demanding time…, [and] he was fantastic and brought on a great leadership team, but we are really excited to move forward with this project." She said the VAG is taking a pragmatic approach to getting the building over the finish line in the current "cost environment."
