Sassoon Dock Art Project, Mumbai by St+Art
Sassoon Docks become alive ! A rainbow of colours generate vibrancy ! The art project is an ode to the 142 years old dock by 30 renowned artists across the world . The amalgamation of ideas and creativity defines nothing better than this to breathe a fresh life in ancient fishing docks.
The initiative by St+Art “ Art for All “ sojourns till 30th December 2017 but its magnificence leaves everyone awestruck . The entrance lets one inhale fish smell but that’s the docks are for . The next moment , ambience creates magic and engulfs as someone is narrating a saga. The characters of Martin and Nemo painted on the wall portray strong bonds. It takes one into the realm where Nemo as a protagonist knows that a fish can manifest change and strengthen family ties.
At the arena of the art project , Hanif Kureshi’s ‘The Idea of Smell ‘ spellbinds one with alchemy of floating words and memory . The smell in any form ‘Mom’s Cooking ‘, ‘Diwali Fire Crackers ‘ , ‘Municipal Dustbin’ certainly evokes the perception and the transmission of one’s self to nostalgia seems inevitable.
The combination of fabric and other materials by Clemens Behr reflect his aesthetic sense of Mumbai’s tall structures. An abstract form highlights his nuances of his vision of Mumbai.
Shilo Shiv Suleman’s intricacy of love woven between her imagery and embroidery is a marvelous masterpiece. The ‘Overflow’ by her is so overwhelming that it feels like an experience of transmutation. The viewer finds difficult to part with the artist’s perception of Sasoon Dock – that, in fact, turns out to be a poetic device for her.
The stencil oriented artwork by Livil is so captivating that the entire aura sensitises one with the ritual of worshipping the sea by Koli women and simultaneously integrate themselves with urbanization. The effects penetrate and break the ice of one’s fathomable world.
Guido Van Hellen’s murals communicate human emotions very intensely. The fabulous portraits weave a yarn and fabricate the quintessential aspect of human survival.
The Yok and Sheryo’s story with mythological characters of Makara helping Varuna navigate the ocean personify the link between the fishermen and their boats, thus, symbolizing the concept of their livelihood. The murals on the walls enhance and recreate the spirit of celebration among fisherfolks depicting its relevance even in the current times.
The audio-visual element introduced by Sajid Wajid Shaikh hails the unique idea of the infrastructure of Mumbai where the message imparted is ‘the garbage out of sight, is not garbage out of site’. He confronts the polity and questions its relevance in context to prevalent truth in society.
‘Plastic Ocean ‘by ZI XI exhibits the plight of Mumbai coasts which need to be free from the menace of plastics. 400kg waste plastic collected and then presented in a commendable way through a mirrored room, captures one’s thought of working towards better and cleaner environment.
The structure of a dog is a satire on society where countenances may hide the ugly truth but there is dire need to sow the seeds of change where individuals awaken to the ignored fact.
‘Art for All ‘leaves an indelible impression where each mind’s stupendous revelation and its connection with the revival of the docks is truly praise-worthy.
Some more images from the Art Project. click to view.
