Art at Your Feet in Bishop Ranch

By Jane McInnis

Workers from the Bishop Ranch office parks can get a blast of color and culture this week, whether they’re taking a break in the plaza or walking out to the parking lot.

Rangoli, a vibrant folk art from India, adorns the courtyards at Bishop Ranch 1 and 2 until Wednesday. The designs were handmade by artists using rice, chalk, powder and rice flour paste.

[More photos of Rangoli art at Bishop Ranch here.]

Traditionally, the designs are made outside homes or on courtyards for festivals and weddings. The art also acts as a friendly offering for small creatures to eat.

"It's outside. Insects and ants feed on it so they don’t come inside the house,” said Prabhu Venkatesh, whose wife Prafullamukhi worked on original pieces made out of rice flour paste.

“It acts as a sort of insect repellant,” he said.

The works are on display at Bishop Ranch 1 and 3 until Wednesday, and will be carried away by bugs or washed away with rain by the week's end.

Did you take a photo of the Rangoli display this week? Post a photo on our board!

Interested in making your own Rangoli? This tutorial can help.