More Than a Measure of Energy
The term 'calorie' was introduced in the 1820s, but its meaning has expanded far beyond a simple scientific measurement. Today, it's a word loaded with cultural significance, tied to health, body image, and personal choice. The 'Calorie' exhibition at
Science Gallery Bengaluru dives deep into this complexity. Running from August 2025 to July 2026, the year-long season explores our fraught and intimate relationship with food. Spread across two floors, it poses critical questions: Who grows your food? Who gets to eat? How does it affect your body, and what is its impact on the planet? The gallery's approach is to use art and interactive installations to spark curiosity and conversation around these multifaceted issues.
A Feast for the Mind and Senses
Visitor engagement is at the heart of the 'Calorie' exhibition. Instead of passive viewing, you are invited to participate. One interactive installation, 'Mapping Mapusa Market' by Orijit Sen, immerses you in the vibrant ecosystem of one of Goa's historic markets, complete with puzzles to solve. In another corner, an activity offers a new take on the classic video game 'Snake,' modified to make players think about resource scarcity and climate change. These experiences are guided by mediators who don't just provide answers but encourage visitors to walk away with new questions, making the process of discovery a personal one. The goal isn't to lecture but to provoke thought on everything from agriculture to nutrition and geopolitics.
Art That Asks Tough Questions
The exhibition showcases works from Indian and international artists who translate complex data and social issues into powerful visual statements. Surekha's 'Ragi.net' features ragi seedlings sprouting from a bed of discarded e-waste like keyboards and computer chips, a poignant commentary on Bengaluru's transformation from agricultural land to a tech hub. Parag Kashinath Tandel’s 'Food as an Archaeological Site' uses materials like fishing gear and dental plaster to explore the history and challenges of Mumbai's Koli fishing community. Meanwhile, Rajyashri Goody's work, 'Don't Lick It All Up,' uses ceramic recreations of foraged food and Dalit memoirs to examine the deep-seated relationship between food and caste.
From E-Waste Ragi to Edible Earth
Some of the most thought-provoking exhibits push the boundaries of what we consider food. The 'Museum of Edible Earth' by the artist Masharu is a fascinating project displaying various types of clay and soil that are consumed by communities around the world, questioning our definitions of sustenance and our connection to the planet. Other installations are strikingly practical, featuring boxes of cultivated edible crickets and large aquariums for rearing molluscs, highlighting potential future food sources. Another piece presents food waste that has been dehydrated into pill form, forcing a confrontation with our own consumption habits. These diverse and often surprising exhibits ensure that the experience is anything but predictable.
A Continuous Cultural Conversation
The 'Calorie' season is more than just a static exhibition; it's a living programme. Over its year-long run, the gallery will host food festivals, film screenings, hands-on workshops, and lectures, creating a sustained dialogue around food. An upcoming food lab aims to spark further curiosity and drive innovation toward a more sustainable future. This model aligns with Science Gallery Bengaluru's core mission to bring science back into culture, creating a space where young people and experts can question, experiment, and shape ideas. By blending art, science, and public participation, 'Calorie' serves as a powerful example of how to make complex topics engaging and accessible to everyone.
