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Artists and their work always strive to break conventions. But what if the space where these works are up is also unconventional Breaking away from the intimidating atmosphere of art galleries and art centres is Art Zone by Pullman New Delhi, which has taken an initiative to bring art and artists together in a casual setting.
An exhibition titled “Delhi” is on where well-known photographers and artists of eminence are exhibiting their memories and reflections of Delhi. Curated by Ina Puri in collaboration with Art and Aesthetic Art Gallery, the exhibition features works of Raghu Rai, Amit Mehra, Dinesh Khanna, Nemai Ghosh, Paresh Maity, Nitin Rai, Saba Hasan, Gopi Gajwani, Akhil Syngal, Nabarun Mookerjee, Nandini Keswani, Nitin Choudhary, Claudia Sanchez de la Barquera, Kartik Wahie, Nikhil Ohri, Anupam Mallick and Sahil Solanki.
Explaining the idea behind the exhibition, Puri says, “Curatorially it is a challenge to see what the city of Delhi means to different people. From early times to the present day, the city has tolerated individual patterns of life, eccentricities, passions, obsessions and expressions of love. We have asked photographers to share their personal vision/idea of the capital city and what it means to them — to claim ownership of a city that belongs to all and none. Cool and edgy, the images will present plural views of the city that have rarely been seen before.”
So we have Raghu Rai’s picture of Parliament Street, while Nemai Ghosh’s picture captures shehnai exponent Bismillah Khan having a smoke before a concert, apart from one of Manjit Bawa drawing a painting. We also see Saba Hasan’s work that has branches hanging over a road. Every piece of work seems like a particular artist’s impression of this wonderful city called “Dilli”.
Puri says, “Delhi has been in the news for its crime, pollution, corruption etc But I look at this exhibition and think of all the positive things about this crazy metropolis. Delhi is an iconic city.”
There’s a wonderful balance of art and photographs in this exhibition and it has a huge range of subjects. It pitches the grand with the personal.
Delhi is depicted in its daily life, its majestic Qutub Minar, its festivals. While many artists were born and brought up in Delhi, there are many who came to the Capital and embraced it. The photographs are an impression of the city they call home.
“This exhibition is an endeavour to speak about Delhi as a lovely place to live in, rather than demonising it. I am all optimistic about it because come what may, life continues it goes on,” elucidates Puri.
Artists and photographers are all excited about this concept, also since well-known painters get an opportunity to showcase their work as photographers too. Artist Saba Hasan is very excited about this opportunity and marvels at Puri’s talent of curating. “Delhi is my city as I was born and brought up here. I remember it as a green city with greenery all around. Of course, things have changed but subconsciously my work deals with this aspect. My photograph is in a space where an urban person encounters this issue While I approach a photograph as a painter, Ina has brought together this unusual exhibition, which has interesting ways of looking at this city. It is very special,” she says.
Photographer Dinesh Khanna also loves “the city which is aesthetically beautiful”. According to him, “Delhi is a microcosm of India all of India lives here.”
“Delhi” not only captures Delhi at its best, but it also surprises
Delhiites into understanding how blissful it could be to live in a city that we constantly criticise. This city is as good as we can keep it. It’s polluted, corrupt, overcrowded but it’s beautiful too!
