Rust dyeing

Concept

‘How human interventions interfere with the beauty of nature’

After LDA (lake development authorities) decided to invite private partners under public private partnership for developing and maintaining lakes of Bangalore, the Nagawara Lake was leased out to Lumbini Gardens Ltd. in 2005. Later the space around the lake was transformed into an amusement park with food courts, coffee outlets and fun rides. The purpose was to generate funds for the survival as well as beautification of the lake. But it didn’t really help. Instead, it affected the flora and fauna of the place badly. Embankment on all sides of the lake and routine cleaning for boating activity has made the water unfit for the fishes and aquatic flora to grow. Apart from this the place has become an entertainment bubble. People come here just for their outdoor amusement. Due to this the access to the natural beauty has been lost. People are not able to appreciate the serenity of the place and realize the importance of the lake, the park being the major distraction. This commercial activity happening there in the name of development of the lake has deteriorated the concept of water body in actuality.

Creating an artwork based on the concept above using textile techniques and medium

• Concept: Human interventions overpowering natural beauty

• Material used: Kora cotton

• Technique used: rust dyeing and direct leaf print (base fabric)

• Method: Dyed fabric cut and stitched together in the form of blocks and layered on the base fabric

• Rust dyeing: rust has been used as metaphor

• Rust: represents human interventions

• Blocks: represents construction

• Blue base: nature (specifically water body)