Orion Mall in Bengaluru has recently inaugurated a magnificent 25-foot mural made from e-waste to celebrate World Environment Day. This eye-catching installation, designed by renowned Bengaluru artist Vishwanath Mallabadi Davangere, will be a prominent fixture at the mall throughout the year.
Vishwanath shares his journey into the world of e-waste art, which began as early as the 1980s and 1990s. “My journey started way back in the ‘80s or ‘90s. A strong background in engineering and art helped me create a fusion of both,” he explains. From a young age, he was intrigued by the inner workings of gadgets and would often dismantle them to understand their mechanisms better. This evolving curiosity set him on a path of exploration and creativity.
The 63-year-old artist, who spent two decades at a software firm, decided to embrace a significant shift after retirement. “I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing something different,” he reflects. This ambition drove him to blend his technical knowledge and artistic passion into creating art from discarded electronics.
Vishwanath reveals his fascination with e-waste, describing how its unique textures, colors, shapes, and forms captivate his artistic senses. “Only after they are dismantled do you get to see their beauty; otherwise, everything looks box-like. I dismantled more than a lakh of gadgets and with every device, I got something very different,” he says. His art highlights the hidden aesthetic potential within discarded electronics, transforming what was once waste into works of beauty.
Equally important to him is addressing the environmental crisis caused by the massive generation of e-waste. “I think it’s crucial to find an alternate solution — recycling is one conventional way,” Vishwanath emphasizes. He is dedicated to raising awareness about e-waste management through talks, seminars, and workshops. “The more people know about this, less e-waste goes into landfills,” he affirms.
To source e-waste for his projects, Vishwanath frequents the Sunday bazaars at Chikpete and collaborates with Zolopik, an e-waste management firm. His journey into creating e-waste art began with small projects, such as crafting a tiny spider replica. In 2004, he set up a work studio in Rajajinagar, where he devoted up to 15 hours a day to experimenting and understanding e-waste.
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His relationship with Orion Mall commenced two years ago. This year, they sought a grand artistic installation, culminating in the selection of the e-waste mural currently on display. This mural is the latest of his large-scale works, capturing the community’s attention and imagination.
Looking ahead, Vishwanath aspires to create even more substantial sculptures using e-waste. However, he acknowledges the need for greater support from the government and art patrons. “It is difficult to find volunteers with similar levels of enthusiasm and excitement to assist in projects,” he notes.
Drawing parallels to a significant international project, Vishwanath references the 2021 installation of Mount Recyclemore in the UK — a giant sculpture of the G7 leaders’ heads made from e-waste. Highlighting the talent and resources available in India, he says, “As a nation, we Indians have talent, resources, and now, e-waste too. All we lack is support — with that we can create anything. There is no doubt about it.”
He also sheds light on the concerning rate of e-waste generation, pointing out that Zolopik collects 50 kilograms daily. While e-waste provides materials for his art, his message to the public is clear: avoid generating e-waste whenever possible. He advocates for minimalism, emphasizing the scarcity of natural resources like cadmium, lithium, and other rare elements used in gadgets.
“Sometimes people hold on to two or three mobiles for their sentimental value; however, scarcity of raw materials makes recycling necessary to create new products,” he underlines.
For those interested in Vishwanath’s work or looking to volunteer, more information can be found at www.ewasteart.wixsite.com/vishwanath. This platform showcases his creations and invites community engagement in the fight against e-waste.
Bengaluru artist Vishwanath Mallabadi Davangere’s latest mural not only beautifies Orion Mall but also serves as a powerful statement on the importance of recycling and the hidden beauty in e-waste. His efforts continue to inspire and educate people about the potential of transforming waste into art while advocating for environmental sustainability.
