Junk art for art junkies: Delhi parks and markets get an artsy makeover
Ashwin Malik
From a pink rhinoceros in Dwarka’s Sector-6, a dog that has automotive parts for body in W Block, Greater Kailash, to a magical lamp in Chirag Dilli — the Capital is fast becoming home to quite a few wonders. These are sculptures made out of junk, added to Delhi’s public places as part of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation’s Waste-To-Art initiative. Conceptualised by its horticulture department, the initiative has brought on board eight artists from across India.
“We intend to spread awareness about this art form as well as educate public about the reuse and recycling of junk material,” says Rajesh Kumar Prasad from Baroda, the artist behind the dog and the lamp. “It’s essential that our art signifies to our public, the concept of identity rebirth. Whatever you deem as unusable or as waste can be very much reused to create inspiring installations. For example, the dog installation is made out of discarded car parts,” says Prasad.
The sculpture Second Skin in GK I, shows an abstract humanoid figure, covered in solid blocks of colour, poised for a step with its head held high. Sculptor Sandip Pisalkar says, “I used automobile and engine parts for the colourful man. I’ve also made the sculpture called The Tiger, located in the Defence Colony market, which uses discarded metal pipes and automobile and engine parts. It was a monthlong venture.”
“Last year, when I was the chairman of the DEMS (Delhi Environmental Management Services), which primarily looks after managing waste and reducing waste generation, we decided that reusing junk was the need of the hour. Sculptures made under this scheme will reduce the amount of disposed waste,” says Radhika Abrol, chairperson, SDMC. She adds that the percentage of disposed waste reduced is 45-50%.
More sculptures will soon make their way to other prominent locations in the Capital. Gaurav Balyan, horticulture section officer, ward 61, says, “Since the conception of this initiative, we have had several installations. And this year, we will also introduce these installations to the Rajiv Gandhi Smriti Van in Sarai Kale Khan.” Balyan adds that this junk art will go a long way in transforming the look of the often-neglected park.
And it’s a city gallery that is assisting the SDMC in this project. The owner, not wishing to be named, says, “So far, we have created 32 installations in the city.
All our sculptors have had prior experience of working with junk. Our first project for this initiative was an installation which is a combination of the Red Fort, the Qutub Minar and the Lotus Temple. It’s at Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.”