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Exploring “Terraform”: M. Pravat’s Solo Exhibition at Stir Gallery

In a world of rapid urbanization and environmental degradation, M. Pravat’s solo exhibition, Terraform, offers a poignant and thought-provoking reflection on the delicate interplay between human-made structures and the natural world. Hosted by Stir Gallery, this marks the acclaimed artist’s solo showcase and stands as a bold testament to his unique vision and creativity.

A Multisensory Experience of Materials and Themes

Pravat’s work in Terraform transcends conventional artistic boundaries by blending an eclectic array of materials—bricks, stone, pigment, dust, paintings, LED lights, and found objects—to create evocative pieces that explore the interconnections between urban spaces and nature. Each artwork invites the audience to delve into the recesses and tensions within our built environment, making us confront the consequences of unchecked expansion on our planet’s biodiversity.

A Reflection on Crisis and Sustainability

The exhibition is not merely an artistic endeavor but an urgent call for introspection. Through his work, Pravat addresses the crises affecting our environment, urging viewers to recentre their sensibilities and align their actions toward fostering a sustainable future. The thematic layers in Terraform challenge us to rethink our roles as inhabitants of an increasingly fragile planet.

Why Terraform Matters

In Latin, “terraform” means “to shape the earth,” and Pravat’s exhibition beautifully encapsulates this idea, albeit with a twist. It questions whether humanity’s attempts to reshape the Earth—through urbanization and industrialization—are sustainable in the long term. The works highlight both the resilience of nature and the vulnerabilities it faces due to human activity.

Highlights of the Exhibition

  • Dynamic Materiality: By incorporating both natural and industrial materials, Pravat blurs the lines between what is considered organic and synthetic, prompting a dialogue about coexistence.
  • Innovative Use of Light: LED lights embedded in the installations add a modern, almost futuristic dimension, contrasting with the rawness of the other materials.
  • Symbolic Narratives: Each piece is steeped in metaphor, reflecting not just the artist’s vision but also inviting viewers to interpret the works through their own experiences and environmental concerns.

Stir Gallery: The Perfect Venue

Located in the heart of the art district, Stir Gallery provides the ideal setting for Terraform. Its spacious, contemporary design complements the expansive and multidimensional nature of Pravat’s work, allowing each piece to breathe and resonate with its surroundings.

Why You Should Visit

Terraform is more than an art exhibition; it is a journey through the intersections of creativity, environment, and responsibility. It challenges the viewer to not just appreciate art but also reflect on their role in shaping a sustainable future. For art enthusiasts, environmentalists, and anyone looking for inspiration, this is a must-visit event.

Practical Information

  • Exhibition Dates: on view through 25th January, 2025
  • Location: Stir Gallery

Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the compelling world of M. Pravat’s Terraform and engage with the crucial themes it brings to light. Whether you’re a seasoned art aficionado or a curious visitor, this exhibition promises to leave a lasting impression.

(Right to Left) (Anker Talwaar, Riya Mondal & M. Pravat

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Bihar Couture Runway: A Grand Celebration of Tradition and Innovation

Bihar Couture Runway, an annual non-profit fashion event held at Gyan Bhawan in the capital city of Patna, is making waves in the world of fashion. Organized by SR Adventure with the generous support of Captain Aryan Sinha, Abhishek Kumar, and Shubham Rajveer, this spectacular showcase has become a significant platform for both established and emerging designers. The event, backed by an unbeatable team from SR Adventures and Tanaash Media, boasts the dedicated efforts of individuals like Nahid Fatima, Vikas Kumar, and Avinash Ranjan, all instrumental in making Bihar Couture Runway a resounding success.

The primary objective of Bihar Couture Runway is to foster and promote designers from across the country, with a particular focus on emerging talents from the region. Collaborating with national and international partners and sponsors, the organization creates opportunities and unwavering support for participating designers. The event is a commitment to celebrating the timeless craftsmanship of India and Bihar’s rich culture and techniques within the realm of fashion.

The runway opened with a stunning display from “PRITHS by Pritam,” featuring many ensembles showcasing a mix of diverse textiles such as brocade, velvet, tulle, and satin. The collection included tulle dresses, satin bustiers, and feminine skirts, with a unique twist of drapes given to brocade in one-piece ensembles. Showstopper Nitika Satya, Mrs. India Galaxy 2023, graced the stage in a vibrant red and gold brocade draped dress, accentuated by a one-sleeve jacket and a tulle veil attached at one shoulder. The look was completed with a diamond and stone-studded winner’s crown, a diamond neckpiece, and ear-drops in collaboration with jewelry partner ‘House of Vedika.’

Label Priyanka Fashionvilla by Priyanka showcased a spectacular collection of occasional wear, flooding the runway with draped lehenga sets, sculpted blouses, veils, trails, self-design textile pantsuits, jeweled gowns, and concept sarees. The collection exemplified contemporary silhouettes with exquisite embroidery, cuts, and craftsmanship, all in a vibrant palette of colors, perfectly capturing the essence of India Modern for the fall festive season.

Mahi Kids Studio by Mahi Singh presented a diverse kids’ collection, from pre-wedding to post-function attire. The captivating and glamorous designs left the audience stunned with real mogas and flowers adorning the little ones’ hair. Miss Teen International 2023, Sejal Gupta, walked the runway as the showstopper, donning an all-black tulle ensemble ornamented with 3D butterflies.

Debut designer Manisha Singh Rathore, creative director for “Label Manisha Singh Rathore,” showcased her first women’s collection titled “The Fall of Fabric.” The collection, inspired by the tradition of wearing sarees with grace and grandeur, featured indo-western cuts with fine detailing, including gathers, pleats, and ruffles. Each ensemble was ornamented with cut dana, pearls, and gota work, giving them a magnificent look.

Bihar Couture Runway is not just a fashion event; it’s a celebration of tradition and innovation. With designers pushing boundaries and redefining the concept of modern Indian fashion, this platform continues to be a driving force in promoting and nurturing the rich cultural heritage of Bihar in the global fashion landscape.

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The Fifties Show: Works of Indian Modernism

The Fifties Show revisits a momentous decade of newly-independent India that had just put its colonized past behind it to embrace triumphant modernism.

DAG’s new space at The Claridges, New Delhi, will see the opening of its latest exhibition, titled The Fifties Show. This exhibition encapsulates key highlights in Indian art over a decade of the 1950s, spotlighting how a newly-independent nation put its colonized past behind and embraced triumphant modernism.

Indian art in the twentieth century witnessed two important decades: The first one was the 1910s when the Bengal School saw the establishment of the “revivalist practice” that came to signify Indian modern art in general. Another was the 1950s when Indian artists of independent India embraced modernish that was free of their colonial history.

In 1950, the first copy of the Constitution of India, handcrafted and illustrated by Nandalal Bose and other Santiniketan artists, was dedicated to the republic, the Progressives were at the peak of their oeuvre, and younger artists were challenging their place with bold formats of art-making.

The 1950s was a period of hope and celebration, which saw the creation of works emblematic not just of the decade but of the context and subtexts of modernism itself. A period when the best and brightest in the Indian art world—such as Nandlal Bose, M F Husain, S H Raza, F N Souza, G R Santosh, K K Hebbar, Adi Davierwalla, Shanti Dave, Dhanraj Bhagat, etc—created some of their most significant masterpieces.

The exhibition will be on view from 1 February 2020 – 26th March 2020

Here are a few glimpses of the paintings:-


About DAG

DAG (formerly known as the Delhi Art Gallery) was established in 1993 in New Delhi, and over the past 25 years, has built a reputation for the quality of its collection that represents the expanse of Indian art practice. This extensive collection charts a historic continuum, from the early works of academic artists trained in Bengal and Bombay, to modernists from Baroda, Delhi and beyond, and includes artworks by some of India’s most celebrated artists, including Raja Ravi Varma, Amrita Sher-Gil, Jamini Roy, S. H. Raza, M. F. Husain, Tyeb Mehta, F. N. Souza, Avinash Chandra, and Chittaprosad. With the aim of taking Indian modernism to a wider audience, DAG now has gallery spaces in the historic Kala Ghoda in Mumbai, and the iconic Fuller Building in Manhattan, New York, in addition to its gallery in Delhi. It regularly participates in international fairs such as Art Basel Hong Kong, Armory New York, Art Dubai, Masterpiece London, and India Art Fair.

The mandate of taking art to the people has led to museum-quality exhibition collaborations with stellar art institutions such as the National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai, The Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, New Delhi, the Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi, Chandigarh, and the Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur. DAG’s first monumental public-private collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India—Drishyakala museum at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Red Fort—was inaugurated by India’s Prime Minister on 23 January 2019, has been widely feted, nationally and internationally and has an average footfall of 4,000 people every day.

With the democratization of Indian art as its core aim, DAG consistently hosts outreach programs for students of schools and colleges and also runs a pioneering program for the visually impaired by allowing them to experience art through tactile aids.

www.dagworld.com

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F(R)iction at Kona – art that is a must to watch

to celebrate the 5 year anniversary of the inception of Lodhi Art District, St+Art India has decided to treat us with a beautiful temporary exhibition, that brings together over 19 international artists. The artists have been working on their installations for weeks, and the final product is now open to the public. The artwork will be focusing on themes of alternate realities, and effects of technology. The genre of the art rangers from murals, to Al, to weaving and needlework.

St+Art India has organised curated walking tours around the Lodhi Art District, and if you`re lucky, you might even get the chance to interact with the artists. Apart from that, KONA will also host pop-up exhibitions and workshops such as zine making and sticker making, accompanied by great music from Boxout.fm.

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Art Inc. annouces it`s first annual art awards

Art Inc. Art Awards is the brain child of Renu Rana, director of the Art inc. The journey of this award started over a decade ago when Renu who was in her 40`s decided to go back to school and renew her passion for art.

Renu has always been passionate about recognizing true talent, regardless for the artists background. in her journey in the last 10 years she has come across artists who have used lunch money to buy paints, those who`ve lived in their studios and those who`ve ghost painted for the rich to make ends meet.

And through it all, she realized that all these great artists, for all their talent, where not being given any recognition. with this in mind, the awards are divided into 3 categories, painting, sculpture and photography and each category has a seasoned master and young artist who were selected by a jury of eminent artists like Arpana Caur, Prof. Biman Das, Prof. Niren Sengupta, and Hemant Khandelwal.

The “Lifetime Achievement Award” goes to Ms. Saroj Jain in the sculpture category ; Mr. Umesh Verma in the painting category; Mr. O.P. Sharma in the photography and Dr. Daljeet in the art historian Category.

Dr. Karan Singh, former member of Rajya Sabha, former President of ICCR, former chancellor of JNU and has held many prestigious posts, has agreed to be the chief guest for the ceremony.