Kathmandu:

To see heaps of garbage piled up on our streets is nothing at all out of the ordinary for us. However, to see a computer thrown on top of this mountain of garbage is something that did catch one’s eye. And it invariably caught the eyes of passersby at Bhotahity.

This was a unique art exhibition put up by the third year students of Lalitkala campus on February 22. And of course the students succeeded in taking art to the masses.

“We decided on this type of exhibition on the roads, in the open air instead of a gallery because we feel that we will be able to reach a larger number of people in this way,” said Juju Maharjan, one of the students behind this street art installation programme.

The installations were not only unique but also very hard hitting. The subject matters were so apt in today’s context that they made the installations more interesting and relevant at the same time.

Sunil Maharjan’s computer on a garbage heap created an impact on many passersby. He had put up a board next to it that said ‘Rs 50,000 will be fined on those who throw garbage here, Rs 1 lakh will be fined on those who pick rubbish from here’.

Explaining his concept Maharjan said, “The whole idea is to make people see that even if there is a board stating not to throw gar-bage, they will throw it anyway; and even a scavenger will pick only that waste that is useful to him/her.”

The installation on the value of organic waste also drew a lot of attention.

Perhaps the most striking installation was near the flyover at Bhotahity leading to Ratna Park. A skeleton smoking a cigarette had been put in a wheelchair with a sign board saying ‘Death awaits you’. Students presenting the installation asked pedestrians use the flyover to cross the road, but many just brushed the request aside and crossed the road daring death.

Yes, the art was there among the masses, but did they get the message? We’ll have to wait and see.