Cutting Loose

Starting tomorrow, Gunher a sleepy little hamlet just outside of Bir, Himachal Pradesh’s premier para-gliding destination, is set to witness an art exhibition of a singular nature. The culmination of a three-week residency comprising contemporary artists from India and abroad, Shop Art is the brainchild of Frank Schlichtmann. Owner of the local 4TABLES Cafe and Gallery, Frank has rented un-utilised village shops and invited a number of conceptual artists to occupy them as their studios during the residency.

These shops are currently doubling as the art spaces for an artist who makes installation art from scrap material, one who sculpts furniture from paper pulp, a low-cost, One Rupee Movie Theatre which will screen films made by the locals after a 21-day zombie/animation/sci-fi filmmaking workshop, and a make-shift radio station where a compilation of Gunher’s myths and legends, music, personal stories of the locals, will be broadcast live.

The final exhibition is expected to showcase the diverse work of the artists, feature live traditional and jazz concerts, movies about arts and artists, artists’ and handicraft stalls, performances, local dances, cuisine etc. If you find yourself in the neighbourhood don’t miss this event that promises to turn an entire village into what can only be called an arts mela for locals and visitors alike.  And also to cheer on the efforts of community-minded individuals.