Contemplate
CONTEMPLATE was Kalabhi (R.) Mangalore’s second major initiative, bringing together photography as a medium of artistic expression. The exhibition created a space for young photographers to present their work and share the way they observed people, places, performances and everyday moments.
Held at Prasad Art Gallery, Ballalbagh, Mangaluru, the exhibition featured works by Sujith S. K., Murali Abbemane, Sanketh U. Kottary, Ashray Bekal, Karthik Kamath and Akshay Shetty. A total of 25 photographs were displayed, covering themes and approaches including theatre, lifestyle, abstract, street and monochrome photography. Some of the photographs were also captured using mobile phones, reflecting the photographers’ individual ways of working with the medium.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr. Vineeth Kumar. The opening brought together artists, cultural practitioners and visitors who engaged with the works on display.
Rather than following a single theme or visual style, CONTEMPLATE brought together photographs that looked at the world in different ways. Theatre and performance appeared alongside everyday life, street scenes, abstract compositions and monochrome images. The collection therefore became a meeting point of individual observations rather than a single visual narrative.
The exhibition received appreciation from visitors and media, particularly for the effort and perspective of the young photographers and the way ordinary moments were transformed into photographs worthy of being paused over and observed.
For Kalabhi, CONTEMPLATE marked an early exploration beyond the stage, allowing photography and its practitioners to become part of its growing artistic journey. More than simply displaying photographs, the exhibition gave the participating photographers an opportunity to place their work before an audience and let their individual ways of seeing speak for themselves.
