In an attempt to keep fit in his busy life, 24-year-old software engineer Naveen Kumar Chaudhari works out thrice a week at a gym near his house. On Monday, when he visited his gym, he noticed something amiss: instead of the stark grey walls which line the corridors, the area between the work-out machines and the changing rooms was filled with works of art.

“The idea is to bring art to the people, rather than the other way around. Only a very select, elite group of people visit art galleries. We want art to be a part of people’s daily lives,” says Niki Lawyer of India Online Gallery, who strongly feels that spirituality gets reflected through art.

Since July 17, India Online Gallery has been showcasing the works of 14 artists, mostly based in Maharashtra, at Gold’s Gym, Kalyaninagar. The works of Umberto, an artist from Italy who is now settled in Pune, deal with making a form out of waste glass, while the others are mainly paintings or photographs.

Chaudhari, who quite likes the idea, says, “A lot of youngsters visit gyms. What is really impressive about the idea is that different people can interpret the art works in their own way. Similarly, the artists too would also have their own perspective.” Chaudhari also feels that this is a brilliant way of roping in the younger crowd.

Shyam Bhutkar, one of the artists whose works are being displayed, says that such efforts should take place so that everyone is allowed the freedom to develop a love for art. The painter feels that his vast experience in theatre has helped him look at effects (like light) differently in his art. Muralidhar Nagare, an established artist whose works are on display, says, “The earnings we make from art galleries constitute the mainstay of our income. Still, few people visit galleries. To display our works at public spaces is a good way of connect with the masses.”

Canaaz of Gold’s Gym feels that this is a great way to motivate the public. She says, “The gym will now be a one-stop destination for keeping fit and learning about art.”

Educating people about art is topmost on Lawyer’s mind too. “People look at paintings as paint on canvas, rather than an idea or force pulsating through the medium. Few Indians look at art as an investment. Meanwhile, in the west, the worth of the works of masters run into millions of dollars,” she says, ruefully. Moreover, here, only a select, elite group buys paintings. Sanjay Bhalerao, an upcoming artist, says, “However, my paintings are, with their stark contrasts, pleasing to the eye, so I hope somebody from the non-art world will find them pleasing enough to hang on their wall! And it’s there that the love of art starts.” His wife Deepti Munot is an artist in her own right. She adds, “This is a good way to reach out to more people, and perhaps increase our sales.”

Tags: Keeping fit art