EXHIBITIONS
BHIMTHADI JATRA | Pune, 2019
Bhimthadi Jatra is a rural carnival with a variety of domains like cultural exhibitions, food markets, flea markets, live shows, handicrafts, handlooms, etc. It’s the one-stop junction to enjoy a complete rural carnival. Bhimthadi Jatra was held at New Agricultural Ground, Pune from 19 December to 22 December 2019.
THOUGHT IS ALSO A MATTER | Kochi Biennale, 2018-19
Kochi Biennale is one of the biggest art movements that happened post-Independence held in Fort Kochi, Kerala. The collateral project for the biennale titled, ‘Thought Is Also A Matter’ was curated by Pune-based Artist Raju Sutar who explored the nature of thought through a range of artwork, from paintings to installations. The exhibition probed the distinction between conceptual art versus material art and concluded that the distinction is arbitrary since concepts (thoughts) have material consequences in our brains. In Kochi (Kerala, India), the show was on for 108 days where Rajesh Kulkarni was one of the five artists collaborating with Sutar; he represented neurons and their connections with the brain. Aakar Pot Art played a crucial role in shaping Kulkarni’s vision. Rajesh also exhibited a wide variety of masks.
ECO-BAZAAR | Pune, 2018
ECO-BAZAAR is a new unique activity of the Kirloskar Vasundhara International Film Festival, it’s an aesthetic mélange of sustainable lifestyle services, indigenous crafts, organic food, clothing, and body care products that will inspire you to embrace a green lifestyle. It features an exquisite range of products that are chic, unique, and very Indian. ECO-BAZAAR was held at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Sanskrutik Bhavan, Pune from the 4th to the 6th January 2019.
UPAVAN FESTIVAL | Thane, 2017-2018
Upavan Sanskruti Arts Festival is Thane’s first-ever art-based event hosted at the humongous Upvan Lake of Thane. It’s a kaleidoscopic experience of cultural elements across many media and formats like performing arts, fine and traditional arts, culinary, visual and digital art, installations, sculptures, interactive art, and contemporary and folk art. Aakar Pot Art exhibited at the festival in 2017 and 2018.
BHIMTHADI JATRA | Pune, 2017
Bhimthadi Jatra is a rural carnival with a variety of domains like cultural exhibitions, food markets, flea markets, live shows, handicrafts, hand looms, etc. It’s the one-stop junction to enjoy a complete rural carnival. Bhimthadi Jatra was held at New Agricultural Ground, Pune from 22 December to 25 December, 2017.
ROOTS/ROUTES | Kochi Biennale, 2016-17
Kochi Biennale is one of the biggest art movements that happened post-Independence held in Fort Kochi, Kerala. The collateral project for the biennale titled, ‘Roots/Routes’ was curated by Pune-based Artist Raju Sutar who explored connection, existence, and search of the past, present, and future.
“Rajesh works in very deep-rooted cultural sensibilities in his ancestral space, denouncing the metropolitan impact and opportunities. The environment in which he works almost becomes mini-Shanti Niketan. Like Earth, it assimilates multiple levels of expression, which is reflected in his work. He willingly reveals the ‘secrets’ of working with clay to anyone who approaches him. Aakar Pot Art is thus a congregation of creativity, simplicity, and a unique nurturing environment. Through the medium of clay, he brings out the pure sensitivities and sensibilities and takes them to a higher and new level. His forms depict the power and tenderness, which are his inner core.” exclaims Raju Sutar regarding Rajesh’s work.
INDIAN OIL ART EXHIBITION | Mumbai, 2016
Founder of Aakar Pot Art Rajesh Kulkarni and in-house potter Rajendra Sakhare participated at the 21st Indian Oil Exhibition held in Mumbai, India.
NIRANTAR | Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, 2015
Nirantar – Spin & Stroke, where the artistic endeavor is a strikingly beautiful and eternal progression was held at the prestigious Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai from 12 May to 18 May 2015. Rajesh presented his travel of spinning and stroking towards the eternal. In the natural and social surroundings, one comes across many non-typical or anomalous forms. The struggle to go beyond stereotypes is translated here as unusual human and object shapes. The stereotypical and unusual forms are essentially restrictions of space. This entanglement in form is captured in clay sculptures. Rupturing and disintegrating the existing forms in space, revokes everything structured and fake, leaving behind ripples of creation. The vacuum created by breaking the existing forms and structures is filled gradually with the processes of eliminating hindrances in re-creation. From the chaos of pulling down the existing structures and forms emerges a silver lining.
