Nestled in the labyrinthian Sun Mills Compound in Mumbai, BARO‘s turquoise blue facade is a welcome anomaly. Renowned for the superior quality aesthetics and ergonomics of their furnishings, the store has also remained a proponent of art and craftsmanship. Their latest show with WOLF Jaipur see’s the store completely transformed into an artistic set, where an enchanting story told through 12 creations unravels.
‘Ultramarine: The Art of Slow’ is a site specific showcase that illustrates the impending global crisis caused by the pollution of the ocean. With elements from Indian mythology, religion, the art of miniature painting and of course the signature use of scrap and discarded material from various industries across the country, WOLF has created an inimitable experience. The art show features movement, exceptional artistry and an abundance of detail in a confined space, using the underwater world as a plea to ‘slow down and enjoy the details.’
As you enter the store, either Srila Chatterjee (Co-Founder and Curator of BARO) or Ritu Singh (One half of the couple that helms WOLF Jaipur) enthusiastically take you on a walkthrough of the show. Narrating the story of how the ocean came to be polluted, the merboys that look after it, shipwrecks, monsters, incarnations of Vishnu who have saved the Earth from impending crises over the course of history and the eventual glimmer of hope and agent of change, they draw you in and leave you absolutely mesmerised as you can’t help but go back and appreciate the detailing and use of material once again.
Below is a brief explanation of some of the 12 creations. To learn more, visit the store at 12 Sun Mills Compound, Mumbai between 11am and 7pm till Sunday, 20th October.
DASHAVATAR MARINE
Nine Shekhawati architectural paintings have been transformed to tell the stories associated with the nine avatars of Lord Vishnu. Scrap material from jewellers, Patuas and more have been used in abundance.
KALKI
The tenth avatar of Vishnu who will save us! The mirrored backdrop represents that we must be the first agents of change, while the seahorse is a metaphor for unique solutions that are needed for modern problems (owing to the fact that it is the only mammal where the male carries the baby.)
THE PALIMPSEST WAVES
Palimpsest means an object that was created or worked on for a particular purpose but was later reused for another. Here, 12 waves with ten pieces in each are inspired by the art of miniature painting, featuring various motifs of the sea. What’s more, they move like waves!
STONY CORALS
Made from an old lamp shade covered in leftover carpet, these corals took the shape of a Shiva linga, before they were covered with chillums, cowries and marbles.
THE FLYING MERBOYS
Created in collaboration with master craftsmen from Jaipur, these are the protectors of the ocean. With fins made from the spokes of umbrellas and a fin added to discarded sculptures, they add a magical element to the exhibit.
MAL DE MER
Translating to Seasickness, this is the monster in the story. Made from everything that represents pollution of the ocean—plastic bottles, covers of oil containers and shower tubes—it is the perfect metaphor.
EV TODI
A shipwreck representing the current state of our environment made from excess jewels from Jaipur and more. The name is derived from Raag Todi, the song of grief.
WISHWATER
A glimmer of hope, these represent pure water droplets. Made from the leftovers found in a glass factory and held up by the bands of slippers (representative of those worn by women in Rajasthan who walk several miles to and from their homes with pots of water), the droplets also contain irony in the form of beautiful sculpted fish by artisans from a region where many die due to lack of water.
