Installation of car and gramophone at Ukkadam Periyakulam. Photo Credit: Shiv Saravanan S
A 13-feet-long replica of a vintage gramophone gleaming with a coat of rain-proof paint is already a showstopper at the Ukkadam Periyakulam or Coimbatore Big Tank. Artist Ramkumar Kannadasan, along with his team including artists R Yeshavandaran and S Sarathkumar, working with old street light poles, iron pipes, steel sheets, broken pieces of furniture, and discarded vehicle parts from government offices, 20 Have been turning junk into amazing art installations for over days.
“It is a starting point for art appreciation in the city,” says Ramkumar, a Chennai-based sculptor. Ramkumar, who works with drawings, stone, ceramics and terracotta, is known for his work at Delhi’s Seven Wonders Park, where scrap, typewriters, grass cutters, drums, bicycle rims, poles, iron bars and spare Car parts were used. To create masterpieces such as the Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. “Most factories produce tonnes of scrap metal. If they employ artists, it can be used creatively to beautify offices or public places,” explains Ramkumar.
Currently, five giant sculptures have been made from scrap including a gramophone, a rotary telephone set, a hand pump and a car to attract attention in Periyakulam. “We prepared a list of forgotten items and recreated them to stir nostalgia,” says Pratap IAS, Municipal Commissioner. Talking about the beautification initiatives undertaken in the city as part of the ‘Ezhilmaigu Kovai’ program launched by the Tamil Nadu government, Prathap says he built an old car to pay tribute to the city’s role and contribution to the automobile revolution. Also added a replica of the car. “The city generates a lot of e-waste and abstract sculptures can be made from used keyboards, floppy disks, pen drives and laptop adapters. When I saw artist Ramkumar’s work at Delhi’s West to Wealth Park, I immediately wanted to create something that resonated with our city,” says Pratap.
Artist Ramkumar Kannadasan at work | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
For the sculptures, the artists used over five tonnes of scrap metal, other items, as well as e-waste. Decorative lighting will be added along the lake and landscaping will also take place. Pratap says, beautification of public places is a continuous task. “We wanted to make it a vibrant selfie point as well as convey a message on the amount of waste generated in the city every day, which is 1200 tonnes. While 500 tonnes goes to landfill, the rest is reused. More than a ton of junk was used for each installation. A layer of paint is added to camouflage rust. Each installation will be accompanied by a display board that gives details on the scrap items used during the making of the sculpture.
Paintings based on nature and wildlife at Avanashi Road Underpass | Photo Credit: Shiv Saravanan S
Recently, the Coimbatore Corporation in a joint venture with the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), as a part of the Smart City programme, Boating started in Valankulam, the water body, which is now a recreational spot where people can go boating in paddle boats, rowing and cycling boats, and soak up the lush green views. On World Earth Day (April 22) Coimbatore Corporation and Phase 4 Architects made a wave art installation at Ukkadam Periyakulam with plastic bottles collected from the foothills of Coimbatore. The wave pattern of the art work represented the destructive effect of plastic on the natural wealth and created awareness to reduce the consumption of plastic.
“We also added a dash of color to the arterial bridges at Gandhipuram, Avanashi Road and Vadakovai. The pillars of the flyover and the spaces in the underpass are now covered with nature and abstract motifs, along with paintings showcasing our cultural heritage. The artists have also depicted India’s space revolution in a painting,” explains Pratap.
Gramophone made from scrap metal in Periyakulam | Photo Credit: Shiv Saravanan S
He wants to engage the youth to make graffiti at some of the main places in the city. “Making Coimbatore beautiful also means creating good infrastructure, good roads, multi-level parking spaces etc. A science park is being set up in Tatabad where children can learn by demonstrating concepts like inertia. Marathons, nature walks and cycling events are being planned with the aim of promoting a healthy lifestyle. They should keep the city as clean as their home.