Ace artist Vibhor Sogani’s thoughtful installation is set to be replaced by a multi-layered water fountain
Through news in media, one hears that the iconic Sprouts installation, which stands in the undulating greens surrounding the AIIMS flyover in Delhi, is set to be dismantled and replaced by a multi-layered water fountain...But officially, I have not yet been intimated about this development,” says veteran artist Vibhor Sogani.
The installation in question is amongst the first large initiatives in the country where contemporary art of this nature, in public domain, was introduced. The project was part of the Delhi Government’s plan to beautify the capital of India. It was also meant to commemorate sixty years of India’s independence — exemplifying the brief, ‘from a walled city to a world city’.
“As an artist, my message behind the artwork Sprouts was ‘When the seeds begin to sprout...’ — a subtle way of saying that we, as a nation, are well and truly beginning our journey towards being a force,” explains Sogani. Sprouting up from the ground, the installation seems to defy gravity, powerfully depicting India as a growing nation. The 40-feet-high creation spread over six acres of land, was India’s first major public art installation project, and it continues to be the country’s largest site-specific installation ten years after its conception.
It became a well-recognised landmark and one often saw, kids and adults alike, interacting with the installation. Sprouts has defined the city’s path of progression towards a global benchmark and its relationship with urban art. A manifestation of India’s democratic ethos, it has provided an urban space for public engagement and is an urban insert, place-making within a larger context. In India, public art is as good as non-existent. When Indians travel to other countries, they see art installations so often and so beautifully woven in the urban landscape and wonder why these are missing in IndiaIJ The cities in our country are posed with this great opportunity to introduce contemporary art and integrate it with the urbanscape. With such large number of people on the roads, it may be a great move towards making art a part of our culture.
It would have many pluses... while the cities will become more happy and vibrant with such artworks, a large number of artists will also get opportunities to show their works and expressions through this powerful media. The private sector, if rightly motivated and rewarded will be very happy to back such initiatives as these would help promote them as well. In turn, the people at large would gain, the art community will gain, the business houses will gain and even the government will gain with positive sentiment in their region.So, at this point, when there are hundreds of roundabouts, public spaces, traffic islands, waiting and wanting more artworks across the city, what’s the point in dismantling the one that existsIJ It’s time we looked at the larger picture and create many such landmarks across the city. Once we take pride in Delhi being one of the best cities in the world, this initiative will surely be one positive step in that direction.