The Serendipity Arts Festival, when held in Goa last December, brought together the best of visual, performance and the culinary arts. And now that it is underway, less than half a year later, in the capital, in the edition known as 16 in 17, that only means great things for Delhi’s art scene.
An interesting installation that’s been a part of the festival (currently being held from April 6 to 16 at Bikaner House) is Chakraview. The art piece was earlier displayed at the inaugural edition of the prestigious London Design Biennale, held in September 2016, where over 37 countries and territories participated. Its director, Dr. Christopher Turner, called the installation “a highlight of our event.” The India Design Forum (IDF), one of India’s leading art forums bringing together various art sensibilities, ministries and artists, is presenting the artwork.
Chakraview is a vibrant potpourri of Indian culture—combining traditional textiles, ancient mythology and modern design innovations into an eclectic mix. Hanging textiles and a mirrored floor are some of the other interesting elements. The inclusion of many colours makes for a visually appealing display.
A number of collaborators are responsible for the art project; some of the prominent ones include Sumant Jayakrishnan, who’s a scenographer and designer based in New Delhi and known for projects such as the acclaimed Deepa Mehta film Water’s art direction and Tim Supple’s The Midsummer Night’s Dream’s stage and costume design. Avinash Kumar, a design strategist and co-founder of BLOT!, which is a well-known audio-visual collective and UnBox Festival, an arts platform, also features prominently in the artwork.
Curated by Rajshree Pathy, who’s IDF’s founder, Chakraview is indeed worth the visit. Over 11 days, Serendipity Art Festival – 16 in 17 showcase everything including a photography exhibition, dance performances, storytelling sessions and a crafts exhibition. Catch it before it’s too late! See serendipityartsfestival.com for more details.