Artwork created using e-waste by Bengaluru artist Vishwanath Mallabari Davanagere | Photo courtesy: Special Arrangement
Recently, a 25 feet e-waste mural was created at the Brigade Gateway of Orion Mall to commemorate World Environment Day. Created by Bengaluru-based artist Vishwanath Mallabadi Davanagere, the mural will be a permanent feature at the mall this year.
Speaking about his journey of creating murals from e-waste, Vishwanath says, “My journey started in the 80s or 90s. A strong background in engineering and art helped me blend the two.” He says that from a young age, he was interested in knowing how gadgets work and would dismantle them to understand how they work. This curiosity led him on an exploratory journey, he says.
The 63-year-old artist, who previously worked at a software firm for 20 years, decided to “spend the rest of my life after retirement doing something different.”
Bengaluru artist Vishwanath Mallabari Davanagere | Photo courtesy: Special Arrangement
An unusual medium
Vishwanath explains why he chose e-waste for his artistic endeavours. First of all, he has always loved the texture, colour, shape and form of e-waste. “It is only after you break them into different parts that you can see their beauty; otherwise, everything looks like a box. I broke more than a lakh gadgets into different parts and with each device, I found something very different.”
Next, and perhaps most important, was the amount of e-waste generated every day. “I think it is important to find alternative solutions – recycling is a traditional method,” he says, stressing the importance of recycling and reusing e-waste. “I conduct talks, seminars and workshops to make people aware about e-waste management. The more people know about it, the less e-waste goes to landfills,” he says.
Vishwanath says they collect e-waste from the Sunday markets in Chickpete and through Zolopik, an e-waste management company.
He first made a small spider and after that, he started creating small artworks at his work studio that he set up in Rajajinagar in 2004. “I used to spend around 15 hours a day in my studio understanding and experimenting with e-waste. My first collaboration with Orion happened two years ago. This year, they wanted a mega art installation and so we discussed some concept designs after which they shortlisted one.”
Bengaluru artist Vishwanath Mallabari Davanagere’s latest artwork at Orion Mall | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
looking ahead
Going forward, Vishwanath plans to create even bigger sculptures using e-waste, but he points out that a support system is needed from the government and patrons of the arts. “It is difficult to find volunteers with the same level of enthusiasm and passion to help with the projects,” he says.
In June 2021, a giant sculpture of the heads of the G7 leaders was installed near the summit venue in the United Kingdom, made entirely of discarded e-waste and titled Mount Recyclemore. Referring to this, Vishwanath said, “As a nation, we Indians have the talent, the resources and now, e-waste too. We just lack the support – with this we can create anything. There is no doubt about it.”
“The fact that Zolopik collects 50 kg of e-waste every day is a matter of concern. While it is appealing for my artistic expression, my message is to avoid all this as far as possible.” He suggests minimalism in view of the depletion of natural resources like cadmium, lithium and other rare materials used in the manufacturing of gadgets.
Bengaluru artist Vishwanath Mallabari Davanagere | Photo courtesy: Special Arrangement
“Sometimes people keep two or three mobile phones for sentimental value; however, recycling becomes necessary due to the scarcity of raw materials to make new products.”
To see more of Vishwanath’s work or to volunteer, log on to www.ewasteart.wixsite.com/vishwanath.
