Article Category: Lifestyle

The 1993-founded art foundation DAG encompasses several sectors—museums, art galleries, exhibits, publishing, libraries, etc, with programmes for the specially abled. And we’re super excited about this historic exhibition titled Ways of Seeing, which showcases over 150 works that mirrors India’s contemporary art phenomenon.

This DAG exhibit brings back into focus concepts such as scopophilia or the pleasure of looking at something or someone with reference to the gazer and the gazed. It explores the subtle distinctions in the ways that artists of both sexes create and experience art.

Ways of Seeing is divided into two parts. The first, Women Artists, features 22 prominent artists, including Sunayani Devi, Devyani Krishna, Amrita Sher-Gil and Rekha Rodwittiya, to name a few. While the second is Women as Muse and includes 32 names such as MV Dhurandhar, Jamini Roy, FN Souza, MF Husain and Jogen Chowdhury. 

The exhibition discusses the implicit distinctions between the approaches of artists from both genders and how they produce and interpret art.

It is as far from the fact as it can be that ‘male artists paint entirely female subjects’ but the voyeuristic intention of the male gaze is undoubtedly more conspicuous in their artwork. It does seem that female Indian artists paint differently, although they have not refrained from illustrating the nude body. However, the divergence lies in their desire to convert the body into a manifestation of their potentially feminist interpretation. For women artists, the female figure is rather an opportunity for inquiry into societal disillusionment.

The showcase represents artists born in the second half of the 19th century all the way to those born in the mid-20th century—India’s most revolutionary period in terms of contemporary art, which saw the exploration of concepts, techniques and formats.

“With this show, DAG looks at two aspects that define the gaze. Women artists, their examinations of their own bodies as well as the territories of art they occupy. This would have remained incomplete without the male artists and their surveillance of the female body. It was necessary to confine the work of these artists with reference to women, suggesting a skew that does not necessarily denote their wider canvas of work or view. But it was essential to establish the confrontation between the male gaze and the female gaze as real—and evident,” shares Ashish Anand, CEO and MD, DAG.

The discerning eye calls out the differences between the “gaze” of female and male artists among the 150 artworks that are on display. In Women Artists, although most portray the nude body, the gaze is not unscrupulous but is considered to be part of a humanitarian paradigm. Whereas in Women as Muse, the emphasis is primarily on the observation of women as a subject. 

Ways of Seeing is open for public viewing online as well as at DAG (The Claridges, Delhi) till March 7, 2021

This season of love, adorn your home with decor and artefacts devoted to the theme of romance. Our Valentine’s Day recommendations are sure to win hearts!

Valentine’s Day decor by I’m The Centre for Applied Arts
Choose Parisian and vintage themed decor (see scroll above) such as the Blush armchair, the Venn Table, Crimson Pleats Chair to add a touch of romance to interiors.

MAD et LEN by The Pure Concept Home

MAD et LEN enchants and enthrals with experimental fragrances. Designers Sandra and Alexandre have drawn inspiration from their global travels and chosen exquisite seasonal materials for this Pot Pourri Apothicaire and Parfumage De Chambre.

Kitched at Discern Living

Check out Kitched’s capsule collection, which includes romantic crimson and maroon cushion covers to effortlessly glam up your home. Each piece is intricately bedecked with appliqué work, embellishments, chevron and more. 

You’re a Firecracker – Indiglam box by Vpop

Choose the limited edition You’re a Firecracker – Indiglam box by Vpop to dining settings. These custom crafted table mats sparkle like crystal under any lighting and pair excellently with the brand’s antique sequin table runner.

The Valentine’s collection by Sarita Handa

The Valentine’s capsule collection includes an array of luxurious cushions and lavish quilts. The cushions are adorned with signature Sarita Handa embroidery and come in invigorating hues of reds, pinks, greys as well as ivory, ideal for a cosy, celebratory weekend!

Crimson decor collection by Baro Design

Mumbai based Baro Design‘s artisanal furniture encourages you to slow down and reflect. From its latest offerings of mid-century cabinets, lamps and statement seaters, our favourites are definitely the seaters designed by Siddharth Sirohi.

The Emel collection by All Home Living

What’s not to love about this set of four Victorian classic photo frames, which promise to hold on to your most cherished memories. If it’s the style you like, the brand even has Victorian-inspired vanity boxes and table clocks.

Lovestruck collection by Izhaar

The Summer Love hamper features delectable cookie jars as well as picnic-themed baskets for romantic retreats. Or opt for Mi Amor and get a versatile fragrance package, a photo frame, stationery box and London phone booth-styled jewellery box. 

Eco-friendly lanterns by Orange Tree

Create a romantic setting with tea lights in these minimalist lanterns for supper settings. Orange you glad we recommended these to you?

La Vie En Rose Selection APR

We can’t have a Valentine’s recommendation and not reference Paris, the city of love! Parisian decor pieces from APR include the 88 Secrets Bar in Blush Rose by Nika Zupanc for Scarlet Splendour, Macaron Light by Brokis, Pinker Paints Rug by Yo2, Pastilles Boxes by Lison de Caunes, and more.

Just Us collection by Portico India

Make breakfast in bed a luxurious affair with this range of versatile and plush duvet covers and king-sized bedsheets in ravishing shades of Ruby Rose and Luxury Nude.

The Rug Republic

The Rug Republic’s latest array of organic, handcrafted Indian rugs, pouffe and accessories include the Adono floor covering, Elbe pouffe, Adono cushion, Sewells stool and more.

Valentine’s Day cushion and pouch collection by SanSar Home

Simple and sweet, that’s what SanSar’s vibrant cushions and pouches are. Just using the L-word sometimes is just enough to encapsulate the theme of the season.

Bundle of Love collection by It’s All About Home

The brand’s range of handmade, embroidered cushions are enough to create a plush setting and share the mundane moments of life with loved ones.

Fresh DIY cocktail kit by Swizzle

This is the perfect gift for cocktail lovers. Try out your mixology skills or simply choose from their range of gift boxes. We especially like the Love Hangover Gift Box.

Home appliance by WonderChef

Start the day with a hot steaming cuppa joe with the help of this Duet Coffee Maker and set the tone for the rest of the celebrations that’ll follow

Valentine’s Day decor by Hermosa Design Studio

We love this handcrafted tray that’s finished in 24 carat gold, which is covered in a blushing hue, to turn mundane activities into magical ones. 

Silverware by SR Artefacts

From among a unique selection of stunning silverware, we’ve chosen a pair of silver champagne flutes to toast your loved one in a simple yet chic way.

The Kolam Collection by Tania and Sandeep Khosla for Jaipur Rugs

Tania and Sandeep Khosla’s Kolam collection for Jaipur Rugs is inspired by the ritualistic folk art of creating patterns from rice flour at the entrance of homes in southern India. We love this red tinted rug, which is perfect for the season’s celebrations at home.

Candle stands by Ochre at Home

Enticed by French quintessential design, these pillar-like candle feature magnificent sculptural detailing of the French Renaissance—a perfect match for a coq au vin.

Picante collection by Ellementry

We love this two-piece Picante Coffee Mug Set, whose lids can be used as biscotto coasters, making them an ideal present for coffee lovers. P.s. It comes in a reusable and durable wooden gift box.

We’re all dreaming of summer… filled with breathtaking views, scrumptious cuisine and endless glasses of wine. And we’d give anything to teleport to the Italian town of Forli, where the serene Ca’ Leoni restaurant offers lip smacking food and captivating interiors.

This restaurant is the brainchild of restaurateur Dannis Leoni, who collaborated with Alexander and Matteo Bagnai, the founders of Momenti to create an inspired, permanent indoor garden with rustic interiors.

For Ca’ Leoni, the designers have used evocative wall and product coverings from the Italian custom design brand, which offers tailor-made designs spaces and is also available in India at Ottimo.

To emulate the vision of a garden, earthy browns and an array of green hues are used with tecno fibre, printed with graphics from the Nature and Shapres collection for the walls. The imagery on the walls transports you to the woods, while the tabletops are decorated with botanical elements. Natural wood and woven planters add character to the space.

“Greenery and eco-friendliness were at the heart of this project,” share the Bagnais, adding, “So, the idea of a permanent garden was an inevitable choice.”

With its philosophy of incorporating art into interiors through various elements like wallpaper and furniture, Momenti has artfully brought the outdoors in, at this quintessentially quaint Italian restaurant. 

Mumbai Gallery Weekend is here, and the whole city has mobilised to make the most of it. We’re not one to be left behind, so we trotted across the city to bring to you some of our top recommendations from this year’s edition. Read on to know more about what’s happening where during the Mumbai Gallery Weekend, add it to your must-visit list and have the best time!

OTLO: Objects + Design by Ashiesh Shah

Atelier Ashiesh Shah is showcasing OTLO—Gujarati for threshold—that draws from the commonalities of form and function to present these heirlooms of the future. It is inspired by the designer’s preferred Japanese philosophy of wabi sabi.

Shah has meticulously curated a selection of design objects that follow the Brutalist tribal aesthetic and celebrates beauty in imperfection through a series of handcrafted collectibles. The entire series celebrates the philosophies of geometry, sustainability and empowerment in an incredible location—the erstwhile home for the original Indigo restaurant in all its rustic charm.
Where: One8 Bungalow (previously home to Indigo restaurant), Colaba Causeway

Tasawuur by Sajid Wajid Shaikh
Shaikh’s solo exhibition is based on the philosophy that artists are the ongoing study of the limitless bounds to our imagination. The act of imagination arises as much from the subconscious as it does from a conscious thought process, and the search for this metaphysical landscape is presented as a deconstructed exhibit in two parts.
Where: Art and Charlie, Colaba

Proximate Paths by Bhupen Khakhar and Jogen Chowdhury
This two-person exhibition of works by these artists—who were drawn into a larger movement towards politically engaged forms of narrative figuration—gives us a peek into their quirky minds.
Where: Akara Art, Colaba

Reincarnate by Shilo Shiv Suleman
The contemporary artist draws from his previous showcase Afterlife and combines magical realism, technology and social justice in this latest body of work, which features painting, sculpture as well as a series of poetic love letters.
Where: Art Musings, Colaba

Head in the Clouds by Chatterjee & Lal
Following the exhibition series titled Simple Tales, the gallery’s latest installation presents works from contemporary and historical contexts across a multitude of platforms.
Where: Chatterjee & Lal, Colaba

Somethings are always burning by Aditi Singh
In this body of work, one essentially finds an eye seeking solitude and commune with nature through the world of colour, light, form and/or shadow. Each piece speaks of an exploration of the self in contemplation, the rich layers of the artworks speak of light, splendour, growth, fragility and tenacity along with the discipline of attentive observation.
Where: Chemould Prescott Road, Fort

RED by Abir Karmakar, Anju Dodiya, SH Raza and others
The group show by artists Abir Karmakar, Aji VN, Anita Dube, Anju Dodiya, Arun KS, CK Rajan, Gieve Patel, Nicola Durvasula, SH Raza, Siji Krishnan, Somnath Hore and Sosa Joseph redefines the traditional boundaries of art with their masterstrokes.
Where: Galerie Mirchandani+ Steinruecke, Colaba

HINOMARU – The Sun by Lekha Washington
The artist looks back at the decade that has passed since her first functional art piece and graduates towards its future. She showcases iconic pieces touched by the light of a new dawn, the end of an era and the beginning of new hope.
Where: Jāmaat, Colaba

This Boat with a Broken Rim by Phalguni Guliani
Artists from across the world, working with diverse mediums, and in varying stages of practice addresses the fragmented realities of border regimes and arbitrary assemblages, as experienced by both body and object as it passes through time.
Where: By Inlaks India Foundation, Mumbai Art Room, Colaba

C-Chairs by Rooshad Shroff and Tanya Goel
Expect a celebration of craftsmanship and all things handmade, including this collaboration with artist Tanya Goel at the architect’s newest gallery-studio.
Where: Rooshad Shroff, Horniman Circle

Birth of a New World by Rithika Merchant 

The artist looks to a more primordial time, where she searches for answers in the stars and proposes to create paths to a new world, similar to what you’d see in an observatory.
Where: Tarq, Colaba

The Tangible Imaginative by Sanjana Shah
Exploring the idea that art cannot be confined to a particular platform or medium, the artist presents works that are both tangible and intangible to physically and mentally experience.
Where: Tao Art Gallery, Worli

Mumbai Gallery Weekend is being held until January 17, 2021

Good design makes use of the site’s inherent attributes to enhance its intended programme. And such is the concept behind the 1.5-acre green plot in JP Nagar that houses URU, a 800-seater microbrewery that acts as a lung in a city that’s choking under its own weight.

The 18,000 sq ft venue is nestled within a park. It is built with the hope of bringing back—in a small way—some of the lost legacy of the garden city. So, its design includes three, open pavilions that encourages visitors to meander and explore the sprawling complex.

Each of the three pavilions is anchored along three existing large trees on site—a weeping ficus, a peepal and an almond. The pavilions are given unique landscape themes and offer cafe, bistro and lounge experiences respectively.

This compartmentalisation also helps to effectively manage customers at any given hour in the day. Visitors are coaxed to move from one pavilion to the other through subtle leading gestures such as lighting, paving and framing; and watch as the space opens up, one green section at a time.

Patrons arrive at the venue through a pair of rammed earth walls, bound by a tropical waterscape on either side. Rammed earth is chosen to make an immediate visceral connection with the microbrewery’s earthy theme. The first pavilion to reveal itself is the Brewery lounge, which houses all the brew equipment and is the only area that’s air-conditioned.

Customers are seated below a structure of floating shipping containers. These are defined by alternating double and triple-heighted spaces. The containers are bracketed by the bar and the DJ console on opposite ends.

With towering brick walls on three sides and a ceiling of containers, the space attains a theatrical quality. What diners don’t find out is that these containers hold the administrative offices and locker rooms.

Sometimes, the difference between good and bad design is a warm meal. Given the linear nature of the site, the open kitchen is strategically positioned to minimise the distance to tables. The cooking zone is located by the bistro, where a polished cement booth seating zone is disrupted by monumental light sculptures. From here, a pebble garden with a minimal grass themed planting scheme can be accessed.

A path of cut earth bricks set into the concrete floor leads customers to a private seating area around the existing Peepal tree and then onto the final cafe pavilion. The cafe’s structure brings to mind the towering canopy of an ancient forest with its sturdy trunks reaching out into the sky. On busy nights, the island bar in the centre of the canopy is the watering hole of this forest. From the cafe, one is instinctively led further outside to the grand old weeping ficus.

While each pavilion has a unique design, a thread of continuity is maintained throughout—a fixed language of raw material finishes and a constant engagement of the architecture with its organic surroundings. A garden aesthetic comes through in the use of mute, matte black painted structures and surfaces in either polished cement or exposed brick. Since the palette is uniform, lighting plays a pivotal role in expressing the mood of each space. And at URU, architecture takes a backseat and instead becomes a canvas to capture the essence of nature.

Drawing on its remarkable collection of pre-modern and modern Indian art, DAG brings together Navrasa, an unparalleled art show with stellar works of Indian masters through the lens of the aesthetic expression of nine bhavas or emotions that lies at the foundation of Indian art.

Exploring a melange of moods that we experience during the course of our lives—sometimes on the same day—but with a skew towards beauty, Navrasa depicts these emotions through the prism of art with a uniquely Indian perspective and breaks new ground in the visualisation of Indian art. 

“We will long remember 2020 for the havoc that it created but also for the path to hope that it ignited. To mark an event that has reshaped our lives, I wanted to mark the transition from 2020 to 2021 with an exhibition, where we could revisit the many moods we experienced and their relationships with each other expressed through the medium of art,” states Ashish Anand, CEO and MD, DAG.

So, the show rediscovers these crescendos of human emotions—love, laughter, sorrow, terror, disgust, wonder and tranquillity—while also exploring their intrinsic link with each other and the dynamics they share with Indian modern art in Navrasa, throwing fresh perspective on a language created millennia ago.

The deeply researched and carefully curated works of art with the likes of Raja Ravi Varma’s Mohini Playing With a Ball, DP Roy Chowdhury’s After Bath and Kanchan Chander’s Mother & Daughter is exhibited at DAG in New Delhi and Mumbai until January 10, 2021.

Set amidst the serene environs of the Nagarhole wildlife sanctuary, Kaav Safari Lodge, transformed by Tony Joseph of Kozhikode-based practice Stapati offers a charming, refined ambience for a sojourn in the wilderness.

A very porous perimeter defines the property that sits right at the edge of the forest offering a tranquil atmosphere loaded with the entrancing symphony of the national park. The grand thematic entry sets the tone for the spatial experience.

A subtle path leads up to a semi-covered passage with a visual axis looking out to the distant pool area beneath the banyan tree. The spreading canopy of the beautiful banyan tree, accompanied by the hanging root formations create a distinctive ambience for the pool, further accentuated by the rustic granite deck. 

The architectural interventions are restrained. The ambience is a dialogue between heavy and light, closed and open, rough and smooth, light and shadows. This play of opposites creates a surprisingly simple, relaxed space that doubles up as the dining area and also the main area for social engagement. The open kitchen adds another layer, where guests are invited to partake in the culinary process making for an interactive dining experience.

Guest rooms use materials such as saw-cut timber, polished cement concrete flooring, wired glass doors and white walls. These are coupled with carefully designed mirrors and light fixtures to create a rugged yet refined ambience. Rich textures provide vibrancy to the minimalistic themes of the interior.

The use of local elements and the consistency of the colour palette together impart an air of sophistication. Regional handicrafts are carefully integrated into the architecture with an innovatively designed lamp above the open pantry, incorporating the red rings of Channapatna toys.

“There was a nondescript, two-storeyed structure in the property, raised on stilts. And it formed the template from which the design evolved. A conscious decision was taken to alter and modify this structure itself to make it fit for a totally new spatial typology and functionality—an exercise in adaptive reuse. This naturally directed the planning strategy to address the design concern of leaving as minimal a footprint as possible on the terrain,” concludes Joseph.

We’re tired of staying home is probably the understatement of the year. And let’s be honest, we can’t wait to bid 2020 goodbye. So, despite the night curfews instated in certain parts of India, we decided to recommend scrumptious cuisine and designer restaurants that’ll be excellent places to lunch at. Read on and earmark your favourites from our list below…

Clarks, Chattisgarh

Nestled in Raipur, Uns by Clark Suites Inn is a space of luxury and comfort designed and executed by Rashi Bohtra and Ruchi Gehani, the co-founder and creative head of Azure Interiors. The duo laid out chequered flooring across the fine-dine venue and contrasted it with pink leather upholstered chairs and sofas with metal legs, bespoke light fixtures, finishes and spurts of green.

In the centre is a private dining area encased in metal bars. The all-day diner abuts the lobby and has a warm appeal. Right from the wooden entrance and brass jaalis to the green and blue accents, the space exudes charm and richness in equal parts.

Colocal, New Delhi

Artisanal chocolate brand Colocal’s flagship store in Chhattarpur is conceptualised by power-couple Sheetal Saxena and Nishant Kumar Sinha such that it redefines the chocolate indulgence experience in the capital. The setting includes a chocolate factory and a casual cafe. It is focused on the brand’s bean-to-bar concept, which is an extensive activity that ensures that only quality, craft chocolate made out of premium quality Indian beans is on offer.

1522, Mumbai

Coming to the maximum city all the way from Bengaluru is the culture-loaded 1522. The new outlet in Andheri is helmed by Sumessh Menon boasts of a multi-sensory indoor dining space with a dedicated live performance stage, semi-outdoor seating and rooftop bar. A muted green tint is seen on surfaces such as the walls, ceiling and flooring (which even has floral motifs), and the indoor section’s vibrant vibe is complete with rivet details and mouldings inspired by English pubs and rustic exposed brick walls. 

Olive & Brew, Gujarat

Designed by P & D Associates, Olive & Brew evokes a sense of familiarity with an edge of intrigue through the novel use of patterns and textures. It is packed with vibrant colours, fabrics, furniture and vintage furnishings. One of the best features is the reception that’s draped in a hand-stitched, highly ornamented Jaipuri carpet. A similar covering also clads the length of the ceiling, while another is mounted on one of the walls.

Tea Villa Cafe, Gujarat
The sound of water flowing down a stone wall welcomes patrons to Tea Villa Cafe in Rajkot. A penchant traveller and an industrialist by profession, Mitesh Hantala of Rust The Design Studio visioned the space as a forest-like ambience.

So he, along with Janki and Parth Hakani of Even Project Solutions, created a play of levels and platforms connected by various pathways. The resulting design includes an amphitheatre for live performances, concerts and other entertainment activities; a water body with free-flowing water, fire and greens is planned within the restaurant; while the cafeteria uses canopies to shield against the harsh sun. 

Zobet, Kolkata

Camac Street in Kolkata is hope to Zobet, a Victorian-era inspired gastropub that promises delectable cuisine and handcrafted beverages within a dramatic space created by ace creative Sumessh Menon. The 7,000 sq ft space is in sync with the heritage architecture of the site—its windows with richly textured glass and decadent motifs in metal are especially spectacular. The other details we love include the wood-finish ceiling with a criss-cross pattern, mosaic artworks, decorative lighting, the Indian marble flooring and the tablestops, which feature a mix of marble, wood and back-printed glass.