Alias in Pondycherry, India (2016), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS
Using a greyscale palette enriched by splashes of red, Alias depicts humans in moments of despair, loneliness or darkness. Being a remarkable, rounded artist with a distinct style, he belongs to one of the best in Berlin’s street art scene. A few months ago, Alias spent some time in India, and made some of his signature pieces of art in several places. OPEN WALLS brings you an exclusive insight into the journey, providing you with photos of his works made in Varanasi (where the journey began), Auroville, Araku Valley, Pondycherry and Visakapatnam. Since this is not the artist’s first time in India, we will also remind you of his works made back in 2014, when he visited India’s larger cities – New Delhi, Hampi and Gokarna.
Alias in Araku Valley, India (2015), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS
The Compassionate Eye of Alias
Alias’ main characters are children, and sometimes teenagers or adults, but neither of these protagonists truly has the insouciance of a child. Although inherently innocent and soulfully pure, these children are represented as suffering victims of their environments – sometimes through the narratives, sometimes through symbols and gestures. They can be rendered as either sad or revengeful, but always with reference to the cruelty of our contemporary society. In order to make the intents clear, and to bring out the matter of compassion and empathy, Alias chooses specific locations for his works. In a lively, colorful, semi-rustic surrounding that characterizes Indian landscapes, he picks the perfect spots for exposing his deserted characters. You may see his lonesome boys lingering about the ruins of abandoned buildings, or hiding behind fences in courtyards. Either way, Alias never fails to translate the feeling of loneliness, which reaches people at an intimate level.
Alias in Hampi, India (2014), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS
Street Art in India
India is well familiar with street art, and it has some very devoted people who join forces and organize meaningful projects. One of such organizations is St+Art India, which continues to host and arrange remarkable festivals and events, basing their principles on the idea of ‘Art for Everyone’. On such occasions, they invite a great number of internationally acclaimed artists, who come to India and embellish the walls of their cities, and they involve Indian artists as well. Alias used to take part in one of their events back in 2014, and that is where the two older photographs are from. On this new trip, he had an opportunity to remind himself of all the natural beauties, intricate ruins and the unique experiences, which can be associated only with this country.
Alias in Auroville, India (2016), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS
Keep in Touch!
Alias is familiar with working outdoors, but he also exhibits in galleries. Therefore, in order to stay in touch, you can either choose to follow him on Facebook, or you can come back to our website from time to time. In the meantime, you can also take a look at the things he did in Portugal last year, but before you do, scroll down to see a selection of photographs which depict Alias’ moving artworks, made in India.
Alias in Auroville, India (2016), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS
Alias in Auroville, India (2016), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS
Alias in Auroville, India (2016), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS
Alias in Pondycherry, India (2016), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS
Alias in Pondycherry, India (2016), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS
Alias in Varanasi, India (2016), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS
Alias in Varanasi, India (2016), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS
Alias in Varanasi, India (2016), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS
Alias in Varanasi, India (2016), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS
Alias in Araku Valley, India (2015), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS
Alias in Araku Valley, India (2015), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS
Alias in Araku Valley, India (2015), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS
Alias in Visakhapatnam, India (2015), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS
Alias in Visakhapatnam, India (2015), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS
Alias in Varanasi, India (2015), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS
Alias in Varanasi, India (2015), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS
Alias in Varanasi, India (2015), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS
Alias in New Delhi, India (2014), courtesy of the artist and OPEN WALLS