The exhibition marked the culmination of a site-specific art symposium during which participating artists lived and stayed at Club Aranyakaa at Vrindavan Farms for several weeks, working closely with one another in a shared environment. All artworks presented were conceived and completed on site, shaped through daily interactions, conversations and collective exploration. Moving beyond conventional exhibition formats, the initiative focused on building deeper connections between artists, ideas, cultures, and the natural surroundings in which the works were created.
Curatorial Vision and Creative Process Curated by artist and cultural practitioner A.K. Douglas, the symposium was conceived as a process-led experience where art emerged organically through shared time, conversation and lived experience. Set at Vrindavan Farms by Aranyakaa and hosted by Club Aranyakaa, the symposium brought together artists and cultural practitioners from India, France, Sweden, Australia, Italy, Poland and Greece.
Working across disciplines including painting, sculpture, installation, mixed media, film, performance, writing and critical practice, the participants created a body of work that reflected diverse artistic languages, united by shared themes of coexistence, reflection and transformation.
Notable Artists
Notable participants included A.K. Douglas (India), curator and founder of the AKD Foundation; international artists Marc Rayner (Australia/Sweden), Anne Michelle Vrillet Dite Mina (France), Jean-Charles Millepied (France), Barbara Crimella (Italy), Ewa Held (Poland/France), Gina Axlund (Greece/Sweden) and Martin King (Australia). Indian artists and cultural practitioners included Deep Manohar, Dilip Kumar Sharma, Kanchan Mehra (Founder, Vimla Art Forum), M. S. Murthy (Founder, Bhoomi Artists Centre), Dr. Vijay Siddaramappa Hagargundgi, Dr. Priti Samyukta, Pradeep Kumar D. M., Adithyaa Shadashiv, Shaji Mathew (Founder, Niv Art Movies & Niv Art Center), Afnan Reyaz, Vinod Bhardwaj (Writer and Art & Film Critic), Abhishek Kashyap (Art Critic and Trustee, Tapaswini Centre for Art), Jeetin Rangher, Ila Joshi, Akshay Joshi and Guru Roopa Rajesh.
The Setting and Shared Experience
Set amidst the serene landscape of Vrindavan by Aranyakaa Farm, the exhibition offered visitors a contemplative experience where art interacted seamlessly with nature. Rather than serving merely as a backdrop, the venue became an active participant in the creative process reinforcing the idea that art flourishes in spaces that nurture imagination, presence, and human connection.
Speaking on the broader vision behind the collaboration Pawan Tripathi, Founder, Club Aranyakaa stated, “The art symposium at Aranyakaa represents a first-of-its-kind initiative in managed farmland industry, shaping a living gallery where art becomes an ongoing conversation between the space and its visitors. This was our attempt to go beyond conventional farm living, reimagining farmlands in Bangalore as sanctuaries where art, soulful living, and nature intersect.”
The exhibition witnessed an enthusiastic response, with hundreds of visitors, artists and cultural enthusiasts attending the showcase. Many visitors noted how the experience stood apart from conventional city-based art exhibitions, particularly in Bengaluru where art shows are often confined to enclosed urban galleries. Experiencing contemporary art amidst open landscapes, quiet surroundings and natural light at Vrindavan by Aranyakaa offered a rare sense of calm and immersion.
Collaboration and Creative Exchange
Beyond the exhibition, the symposium unfolded through shared living, open studios, informal conversations and collaborative sessions. In fact, reflecting on the intent of the project, Douglas said, “‘Connecting the Dots’ is about creating meaningful intersections between people, perspectives and practices. When artists share space, time and everyday life, the work that emerges carries a deeper understanding of both self and surroundings. The process is as important as the final artwork.”
This collective rhythm enabled artists to influence one another’s work organically, fostering a strong sense of community and creative trust.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Amit Porwal, Director, Aranyakaa Farms noted, “Bringing ‘Connecting the Dots’ to life at Vrindavan by Aranyakaa was deeply rewarding and reflected our purposeful intent to integrate art and culture into the landscape. Seeing artists from across the world live and create at Vrindavan reaffirmed our belief that spaces rooted in nature can also serve as platforms for meaningful cultural exchange. This collaboration has laid a strong foundation for future cultural engagements that we look forward to nurturing.”
Adding to this, Ajay Kaul, Director, Club Aranyakaa, added, “From hosting and hospitality to creating the right atmosphere, Club Aranyakaa focused on making artists and visitors feel welcomed and connected. We were proud to be part of a union that celebrates art, beauty, culture and conscious living.”
Looking Ahead
The ‘Connecting the Dots’ International Art Symposium marked its inaugural edition and is envisioned as an annual, site-specific initiative. Future editions are planned in new locations, expanding public access and continuing to build a growing international community of artists connected through shared process, place and purpose.
