Govt. is working for legal framework for protection of art in public places: Kumari Selja

New Delhi, Feb 11 (ANI): Union Culture Minister Kumari Selja on Friday said that there is a need for a legal framework for protection of art in public places, and the government is working on this aspect.

Speaking at a book release function here, she said protection of art that is put up in public places is a sensitive issue and we need to address this issue.

Selja said we have all heard of instances where exquisite pieces of art that were put up in public places were damaged, not to speak of instances where such pieces are subjected to neglect and indifferences.

She said the role of civil society is important in this regard, which must take pride in the establishment of art in public places, and to assume the responsibility of safeguarding it.

Emphasizing that a major challenge for us is to bring art closer to the people, Selja said: "Art is not something that can be confined to museums and galleries, nor is it a preserve of the elite. She said the rightful place of art is with public, in public places and in peoples heart."

"Art must really be so accessible that it becomes a part and parcel of daily life," she added.

The Minister said for the past 40 years, the government has had a policy that two per cent of the cost of all building projects will be provided for executing works of art. Despite this policy and several guidelines, she was not sure if much of art has been created in the public places.

She said, while, organization such as Delhi Urban Arts Commission and the Municipal Bodies had the responsibility to ensure and implement these guidelines, at the same time other institutions that are associated with building activity have to come alive to this initiative, which is both an opportunity and a responsibility.

Lauding the efforts of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation in this regard, Selja said HUDCO has not only spearheaded the initiative of incorporating works of art in their building projects but also have been involved in purchasing works of art for the last many years and putting them in worth places. (ANI)