The tricky side of art

In my opinion, the reason why laymen abstain from art galleries these days is that they are unable to comprehend most of the artworks displayed there. They believe that art is too complicated and don’t like to be a mere spectator on the venue. How can we bring them closer to art? It can be achieved by arousing curiosity in them and making them a part of the artwork. Trick art does exactly that.  Having an interactive style, a trick art painting wouldn’t be complete without audience participation.

I have been practising trick art for the past three and a half years and have done shows abroad. It is an optical art or a 3D art and is said to have a history of over 2,000 years. In the past, artists have done trick art experiments on church walls.

Space and light play an important role in this art form. We are actually creating an illusion that an image is three-dimensional whereas it is actually two-dimensional. Certain points would be marked beside each painting. You will become a part of the artwork if you stand on those points. For instance, at the Click Art Museum in Chennai, which is India’s first trick art museum, the visitor can take a selfie with a monkey or surf in the sea. And, then share them on social media platforms. In this era of smartphones, anybody could relate to these kinds of realistic works. I just want to make people happy.   

So far, I have set up 19 museums worldwide. In India, when you introduce something new, there would be different opinions. But, people’s responses to the Click Art Museum have been really good. Now, I am working on a museum to be launched at Princess Street in Fort Kochi, Kerala. I wish to complete 100 museums across the nation within a year.

(Artist A.P. Shreethar is a trick art specialist and has recently opened Click Art Museum, India’s first trick art museum, in Chennai)

(As told to Elizabeth Thomas)