[PhotoSparks] Art with attitude – creativity and entrepreneurship at Kitsch Mandi

PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In this photo essay, we feature the creativity and entrepreneurship on display at Bengaluru's popular flea market, Kitsch Mandi!

In the earlier 85 posts, we brought you a wide range of creative photographs from an art fair, world music festival, painting fair, telecom expo, art museum, mobile showcase, math museum, social hackathon, bookstore, co-working space, sensorium, international design week, flower show, outdoor ads, startup roadshow, computer museum, startup T-shirts, business cards, art therapy, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, Vesak, jazz festival, modern art gallery, ecopreneurs, painter-poets, health activists, eNGOs and digital innovators.

Bengaluru’s boutique flea market for ‘artrepreneurs’, Kitsch Mandi, wrapped up recently with a creative mix of music, art, workshops and food. “We had 1,300 visitors this time - a little less than normal due to the T20 cricket match!” said Laila Vaziralli, founder, in a chat after the art fair (see also our earlier interview).

Kitsch Mandi experiments with new lineups and formats each time. “We have been trying out a pre-event two-hour creative workshop for about 30 people. Last time we did one on organic dying and block printing, and this time we did typography by Nandita Dhindsa,” said Laila.

The stalls were packed with quirky T-shirts, coasters, books, wire earrings, and even ‘Indian family’ stickers. ‘Recyle, restore and reuse’ was a big theme, with repainted bottles and wallets made from cork; creative community marketplace Cupick.com was there as well.

Dozens of messages on creativity and entrepreneurship came across in the displayed exhibits: ‘Keep calm and code on,’ ‘Break the rules,’ – along with a generous sprinkling of humour (‘Art gilehri’ instead of art gallery; 'Cupid is Stupid'; ‘A yawn is a silent scream for coffee!’).

Along with the rise of the maker movement, we look forward to the next flea markets showcasing creative talent in India. If your city doesn’t have such a flea market, grab the opportunity and start one yourself!

Got a creative photograph to share? Email us at [email protected]!

See also the YourStory pocketbook ‘Proverbs and Quotes for Entrepreneurs: A World of Inspiration for Startups,’ accessible as apps for Apple and Android devices.