Phoenix Palladium’s Commitment to Art: A Conversation with Gayatri Ruia

Phoenix Palladium, Mumbai’s premier shopping and lifestyle destination, unveiled a remarkable addition to its collection of iconic art – Salvador Dalí’s celebrated bronze sculpture, Cosmic Rhinoceros. Launched by Gayatri Ruia and art connoisseur Shalini Passi, this striking piece encapsulates the mall’s longstanding commitment to delight and further elevate the Palladium experience for its shoppers.

We engage in a meaningful conversation with Gayatri Ruia about her vision for Phoenix Palladium as a place where Mumbaikars can immerse themselves in the world of art. 

Over the years, Phoenix Palladium has integrated various art installations into its identity. How do you envision the role of art evolving in the context of luxury retail in the future?

GR: India is going through a dynamic cultural evolution. And we’re very much keeping the Palladiums and the Phoenix malls at the forefront of this dynamic development. We’ve noticed over time, especially in hyper-urban centers like Mumbai and all other tier one cities, large format malls like those that Phoenix builds become vibrant community spaces, spanning over 1 to 1.2 million square feet offering a mix of shopping, dining and entertainment.  They transform into destinations where friends meet and families gather, evolving into new playgrounds for shoppers, food lovers and activity centers. So we have put a lot of thought into designing and curating these spaces, investing in art of a certain quality and stature. Art at Palladium, both Indian and international, complements the offering of luxury retail beautifully. 

Can you share specific examples of how the art installations at Phoenix Palladium have transformed the shopping experience for visitors? What feedback have you received from patrons regarding this integration?

GR: Art, like luxury goods, is driven by creativity. So there is a strong correlation and Phoenix Palladium has pioneered the integration of art into its identity. From exquisite metal art by Valay Shinde to works by Thukral & Tagra, Ravinder Reddy and Willliam Kentridge, we’ve had a very good response from visitors to these displays. It adds to their experience of the mall as a vibrant cultural destination. The arrival of the Cosmic Rhinoceros stands as a pinnacle moment in Phoenix Palladium’s art journey, and its commitment to enhancing the customer’s experience.

Salvador Dalí is known for his surrealist approach. What drew you to choose Cosmic Rhinoceros as a significant addition to your art collection, and how do you believe it reflects the ethos of Phoenix Palladium?

GR: Palladium has always celebrated creativity that enhances the shopper’s experience, from seasonal decor to art installations. Dali’s art is timeless and unique, appealing to sophisticated consumers with the scale and importance befitting an installation at Phoenix Palladium. The intersection of Dali’s iconic ‘Cosmic Rhinoceros’ and the luxury shopping experience Palladium offers, featuring a convergence of international brands, seemed like the perfect marriage.

Can you discuss any challenges you faced in maintaining this commitment to art alongside commercial objectives?

GR: One of the challenges we face is managing budgets and the formalities involved in importing art. Additionally, finding the right spaces within our malls requires us to allocate valuable square footage, which is at the core of our leasing business. Despite these challenges, it is exciting, and we are committed to bringing art to public spaces in our malls. Everything has to work together seamlessly, but we believe in the value of integrating art into our environments

Looking ahead, are there any upcoming projects or collaborations with artists that you are particularly excited about? How do you plan to continue enhancing the artistic landscape of Phoenix Palladium?

GR: We are committed to bringing high-quality art and sculpture to our malls, showcasing pieces that one might find in fine galleries abroad or in India, making them accessible to all our customers. That is the commitment. There are many exciting projects in the pipeline, which we will share in due course. For now, we are thrilled to have Dali’s ‘Cosmic Rhinoceros’ in our midst and I’m basking in the fun of that experience.

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