Science Gallery Bengaluru welcomes US Ambassador to India and the Consul General
On his first official trip to the city, the United States Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti, and Consul General Chris Hodges, visited the recently inaugurated building led by Founding Director Dr. Jahnavi Phalkey.
United States Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti and Consul General Chris Hodges during their visit to Science Gallery Bengaluru with Founding Director Jahnavi Phalkey, Senior Programme Associate Vashuda Malani, and three mediators (2024).
Science Gallery Bengaluru recently welcomed the United States Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, and Consul General Chris Hodges. This visit marked a significant event in Ambassador Garcetti's inaugural trip to Bengaluru.
The visit commenced with an in-depth walkthrough of the CARBON exhibition, guided by Founding Director Dr. Jahnavi Phalkey, Science Gallery Bengaluru Board Member Dr. Ekroop Caur, and CARBON Mediator Sanjana Hegde. Featuring over 35 interactive exhibits, the exhibition-season explores the fundamental significance of carbon. Visitors can engage with nine different themes, from the elemental properties of carbon to the complex struggles of fossil fuel, through the perspectives of Indian and international artists, scholars, photographers, activists, climate scientists, and documentarians.
“Science Gallery Bengaluru’s CARBON showcases incredibly innovative work that sheds light on crucial environmental issues. I’m looking forward to more wonderful collaborations with this dynamic space.”
Expressing his enthusiasm, Ambassador Garcetti stated, ‘I’m delighted to meet Jahnavi Phalkey and the team at Science Gallery Bengaluru. . The CARBON exhibition showcases incredibly innovative work on the challenge and source of life, featuring exhibits such as The Inside Story of Modern Gasoline by American artist Marina Zurkow. This exhibition sheds light on crucial environmental issues. I look forward to more wonderful collaborations with this dynamic space.’
Stepping into Bengaluru felt like diving into a whirlpool of energy and innovation. But what truly amazed me was seeing the incredible work being done here to strengthen #USIndia relations. From groundbreaking advancements in science and space exploration to cutting-edge… pic.twitter.com/OLniA2qEN5
— U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti (@USAmbIndia) May 29, 2024
In January 2024, after five years of online programming and city-wide exhibitions, Science Gallery Bengaluru inaugurated its permanent building. Established with support from the Government of Karnataka and three academic partners—the Indian Institute of Science, National Centre for Biological Sciences, and Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology—Science Gallery Bengaluru targets young adults at the intersection of human, natural, and social sciences, engineering, art, and design. Their public engagement model emphasises proactive involvement through ever-changing research festivals, interdisciplinary exhibitions, and public events led by diverse artists and scholars.
United States Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti, Founding Director of Science Gallery Bengaluru, Dr Jahnavi Phalkey, Member of the Science Gallery Bengaluru Board, Dr Ekroop Caur, and Consul General Chris Hodges
Ambassador Garcetti's visit underscores the importance of international collaboration in tackling global challenges such as the climate crisis. Science Gallery Bengaluru remains a vital space for cross-disciplinary dialogue and innovation, fostering connections between science, art, and the community.
For those unable to visit in person, Science Gallery Bengaluru offers an online experience and exhaustive pool of resources of the CARBON exhibition. Additionally, their freely accessible open courseware facilitates non-evaluative, open-ended, and interdisciplinary learning about the themes addressed in CARBON, reflecting Science Gallery’s commitment to public education.