Bengaluru’s UB City mall is playing host to the ninth edition of Art Bengaluru—a mixed media showcase by reputed creators and galleries from around the world. On till November 30, 2019, it features 21 artists and almost 200 diverse pieces of art under one roof, along with talks, workshops, curated walks and other art experiences. We find it’s certainly the most interesting (and educational) alternative to slacking around at the mall. The cherry on top? Entry is free for all.

The artworks on display include paintings, hand-blown glass sculptures, video projects, installations, photography, and 3D-printed sculptures. We’re particularly curious about Daan Oude Elferink, an artist from the Netherlands whose photography captures the beauty of decay in abandoned buildings. He calls it a forbidden world ‘behind no-entry signs and locked doors’, bringing viewers closer to what is perceived as past its prime. Other artworks to watch out for are those by Saudi music producer and artist Afra Khan, the Dali-inspired Shoeb Dastagir (we have a thing for dreamy canvases), the kitschy spirit of Vijit Pillai, and the vibrant compositions of Chandrahas Y Jalihal. 

An international film festival called Film Bengaluru is also part of the extravaganza. Organised with Unesco MGIEP on the theme ‘Kindness Matters’, it is scheduled from November 14 to 17. 

Art Bengaluru is open from 11am to 8pm on all days, and you can find their programme calendar here. The workshops are centred around grasping art forms like Cheriyal maskmaking (used by the old wandering storytellers of Telangana), the nuances of charcoal drawing, and photography at the beginner’s level. Tickets can be found here.