Bengaluru, India | January 2026: In a compelling confluence of art, nature, and global collaboration, artists from seven countries gathered at Vrindavan by Aranyakaa Farm for the inaugural edition of the ‘Connecting the Dots’ International Art Symposium, an immersive, site-specific initiative curated to foster meaningful artistic exchange beyond conventional gallery spaces. Organised by Club Aranyakaa in collaboration with the AKD Foundation, the symposium concluded on 17 January 2026, leaving behind not only a powerful body of contemporary artworks but also a blueprint for reimagining how and where art can be experienced.
Unlike traditional exhibitions where finished works are displayed in urban galleries, ‘Connecting the Dots’ was envisioned as a process-led residency and symposium, where creation unfolded organically through shared living, conversation, observation, and collaboration. Over several weeks, participating artists lived and worked together at Vrindavan Farms, allowing their practices to intersect with one another and with the natural environment that surrounded them.
A Living, Breathing Art Experience
At the heart of the symposium was the idea that art is not merely an outcome, but an evolving dialogue. Every artwork presented during the exhibition was conceived, developed, and completed on site. The farm itself—its open skies, quiet pathways, changing light, and rhythms of nature—became both context and collaborator in the creative process.
Visitors to the exhibition experienced art not as isolated objects, but as part of a larger ecosystem. Sculptures, installations, paintings, performances, films, and writings were woven into the landscape, encouraging reflection, slowness, and engagement in ways rarely possible within enclosed city galleries.
This approach resonated deeply with audiences. Hundreds of visitors—including artists, collectors, writers, students, and cultural enthusiasts—attended the exhibition, many remarking on the rare opportunity to experience contemporary art in such an open, contemplative setting. In a city like Bengaluru, where most art exhibitions are hosted indoors, Vrindavan by Aranyakaa offered a refreshing alternative that blurred the boundaries between art, life, and nature.
Curatorial Vision Rooted in Process
Curated by A.K. Douglas, artist, cultural practitioner, and founder of the AKD Foundation, the symposium was shaped by a philosophy that prioritised shared experience over spectacle. Douglas envisioned ‘Connecting the Dots’ as a space where artists could slow down, listen, observe, and respond—not just to the land, but to one another.
“‘Connecting the Dots’ is about creating meaningful intersections between people, perspectives, and practices,” Douglas explained. “When artists share space, time, and everyday life, the work that emerges carries a deeper understanding of both self and surroundings. The process is as important as the final artwork.”
Artists worked across a wide range of disciplines including painting, sculpture, installation, mixed media, film, performance, writing, and critical practice. Despite the diversity of artistic languages, common themes emerged—coexistence, transformation, memory, ecology, and the subtle negotiations between human presence and the natural world.
A Truly International Collective
The symposium brought together an impressive roster of artists and cultural practitioners from India, France, Sweden, Australia, Italy, Poland, and Greece, creating a vibrant, cross-cultural dialogue that extended far beyond artistic techniques.
International participants included Marc Rayner (Australia/Sweden), Anne Michelle Vrillet Dite Mina (France), Jean-Charles Millepied (France), Barbara Crimella (Italy), Ewa Held (Poland/France), Gina Axlund (Greece/Sweden), and Martin King (Australia).
Indian artists and practitioners formed an equally strong presence, including A.K. Douglas, Deep Manohar, Dilip Kumar Sharma, Kanchan Mehra (Founder, Vimla Art Forum), M. S. Murthy (Founder, Bhoomi Artists Centre), Dr. Vijay Siddaramappa Hagargundgi, Dr. Priti Samyukta, Pradeep Kumar D. M., Adithyaa Shadashiv, Shaji Mathew (Founder, Niv Art Movies & Niv Art Center), Afnan Reyaz, Vinod Bhardwaj (Writer and Art & Film Critic), Abhishek Kashyap (Art Critic and Trustee, Tapaswini Centre for Art), Jeetin Rangher, Ila Joshi, Akshay Joshi, and Guru Roopa Rajesh.
The diversity of voices enriched the symposium, allowing artists to learn from each other’s cultural contexts, methodologies, and philosophical approaches to art-making.
Farmland as Cultural Space
The choice of Vrindavan by Aranyakaa Farm as the venue was central to the symposium’s ethos. Far from being a passive backdrop, the landscape actively shaped the artworks and interactions. The open fields, trees, water bodies, and pathways became sites of contemplation and creation.
Pawan Tripathi, Founder of Club Aranyakaa, described the initiative as a pioneering effort within the managed farmland industry. “The art symposium at Aranyakaa represents a first-of-its-kind initiative, shaping a living gallery where art becomes an ongoing conversation between the space and its visitors. This was our attempt to go beyond conventional farm living and reimagine farmlands in Bengaluru as sanctuaries where art, soulful living, and nature intersect.”
Building Community Through Collaboration
Beyond formal exhibitions, the symposium thrived on shared meals, open studios, informal discussions, and spontaneous collaborations. Artists observed one another’s processes, exchanged feedback, and often allowed these interactions to influence their own work.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Amit Porwal, Director, Aranyakaa Farms, noted, “Bringing ‘Connecting the Dots’ to life at Vrindavan by Aranyakaa was deeply rewarding. Seeing artists from across the world live and create here reaffirmed our belief that spaces rooted in nature can also serve as powerful platforms for cultural exchange.”
Echoing this sentiment, Ajay Kaul, Director, Club Aranyakaa, added, “From hospitality to atmosphere, our focus was on making artists and visitors feel genuinely welcomed and connected. We were proud to be part of a union that celebrates art, culture, beauty, and conscious living.”
A Vision for the Future
‘Connecting the Dots’ marked its inaugural edition, but its impact suggests a long and meaningful journey ahead. Envisioned as an annual, site-specific initiative, future editions aim to expand into new locations, welcoming broader public engagement while continuing to build a global community of artists connected through shared process, place, and purpose.
As the symposium concluded, it left behind more than artworks—it fostered relationships, sparked conversations, and demonstrated the transformative potential of art when it is allowed to exist beyond walls, markets, and deadlines.
About Aranyakaa Farms
Aranyakaa Farms is a Bengaluru-based sustainable real estate developer known for its innovative approach to land development. With a strong focus on water conservation, biodiversity, and self-sufficient communities, the company has completed nine successful projects and acquired over 600 acres of land in just three years. Aranyakaa’s vision blends ecological responsibility with thoughtful design, creating environments where nature, culture, and conscious living coexist.
