DECO
Art Deco is one of the Mumbai’s least noticed architectural styles, though Mumbai and its suburbs have the second largest number of Art Deco buildings in the world.
DECO ON THE OVAL
AN EXHIBITION OF FACADES AND DETAILS
PHOTOGRAPHY HEAD | GRAPHIC DESIGN | RESEARCH | FILM | MERCHANDISE
Sir JJ College of Architecture has documented the architectural facades of the Art Deco Buildings that form a stretch on the Oval Maidan. These building fronts are metonymous with Bombay’s Art Deco Architecture that flourished from the 1930s to the 1950s. Students of Sir JJ College of Architecture, along with Professor Mustansir Dalvi have recreated the facades of 18 buildings that form the Art-Deco stretch on the Oval Maidan.
©Sir J J College of Architecture
2015
©Sir J J College of Architecture
Began documenting the buildings through late 2014 to early 2015, photographing elevations focussing on these facades which are a mix of geometrical and symbolic representations, reflecting the optimism and modernity of a flourishing port city on the rise. The motifs symbolize speed, power, transportation, the sea and the tropics as well as nod to the imperial presence by commemorating them in their names- Windsor Court, Empress Court, Queens Court.
© Aakriti Chandervanshi/ Sir J J College of Architecture
© Aakriti Chandervanshi/ Sir J J College of Architecture
TO VIEW THE CURATORIAL NOTE BY DR. MUSTANSIR DALVI
Interviewed and edited conversations to support the exhibition through a short film. The film features the residents sharing with us their thoughts and experiences, growing up in this marvel of deco heritage. Their views and sentiments were captured and composed into a short film, thus documenting and preserving their words for decades to come.
TO REQUEST FOR THE FILM, PLEASE CONTACT
Art DECO MUMBAI
A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
DIGITAL CONTENT CURATOR | DOCUMENTATION HEAD | HERITAGE WALKS
2016 - 2017
©Art Deco Mumbai
Art Deco Mumbai comprises of a small team that is focused on showcasing Mumbai’s Art Deco, Advocate its Conservation, Chronicle its History and Photo Document its Deco neighborhoods. ADM brings a high level of integrity and commitment to quality in this initiative, building a repository of information that appreciates Mumbai’s Art Deco.
©Art Deco Mumbai
DOCUMENTATION
THE FOLLOWING INITIATIVES AND WORKS WERE STARTED AND UNDERTAKEN AS THE DIGITAL CONTENT CURATOR AND DOCUMENT HEAD 2016-2017
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Setting up of Mapping and Documentation Initiative by heading a team of on-field architects and photographers.
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Curating the bulk-data and creating the Inventory which filters as per the need of the user.
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Mapped, Photographed and Documented the stretch of Art Deco buildings at Marine Drive
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Documented and Reviewed Art Deco Buildings at Colaba
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Digitized Archives, Curated the Website Content and Managed Social Media
OVAL
MARINE
DRIVE
COLABA
MAPPED, PHOTOGRAPHED AND DOCUMENTED OVER 70+ ART DECO BUILDINGS ACROSS OVAL MAIDAN, MARINE DRIVE AND COLABA
HERITAGE WALKS
Advocated the Art Deco Conservation by initiating Guided Tours for Art Deco Mumbai. We began with Heritage Walks along the Oval Maidan, piquing the interest of historians, photographers and tourists alike.
Had the opportunity to host few notable Art Deco enthusiasts:
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Greg Foster Editor, Architecture Digest Magazine
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Janice Blackburn Interior Designer, Great Britain
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Mumbai Instagrammer Instagram Influencers
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CondéNast Travellers with Alisha Sadikot, Art Walks Mumbai
EXHIBITION
Curated and hosted for students at the Columbia University as a part of their Global Scholar Program. Arranged Presentation by Art Deco Mumbai followed by lecture by Dr. Mustansir Dalvi at Eros Theater, Oval Maidan
