All posts tagged: Anpu Varkey

Martha in Mumbai for St+ India, Visits Dharavi Slum

Martha in Mumbai for St+ India, Visits Dharavi Slum

Mumbai is a city that captures the essence of Indian culture and tradition. When people think of Mumbai they may envision Bollywood actors executing their hook steps in flashy outfits with bright colors against extravagant backdrops. True, it is a place where Bollywood glamour and grandeur are made, but don’t forget the street food and Hindu festivals, and elaborate idols of Lord Ganesha. Also, the city’s Marine Drive, a picturesque promenade along the coastline, is a famous landmark that offers stunning views of the Arabian Sea. And yet, there is more to Mumbai than just the glitz and the glam.

Ella & Pitr. France. STart – India. Dharavi, Mumbai. (photo © Martha Cooper)

Just a stone’s throw away from the Marine Drive lies Sassoon Docks, a hidden gem that has become a hub of Mumbai’s vibrant arts community. Located in South Mumbai’s historic fishing harbor of Colaba, Sassoon Docks has attracted a diverse range of artists, writers, photographers, and galleries. These artists are known for their focus on environmental issues and their collaborations with local fishermen. They use their work to celebrate and document the rich cultural traditions of Mumbai’s fishing communities. Through sculptures, paintings, and installations, they have created a unique tapestry that reflects the character and history of this charming area.

Ella & Pitr. France. STart – India. Dharavi, Mumbai. (photo © Martha Cooper)

As part of St+art India’s festival, this year, invited artists had the opportunity to participate in murals, of course, but they also shared in the events that are rather normal for Sassoon Docks: talks, classes, performances, DJs. Recent events include researcher Shripad Sinnakaar presenting their poetry on Flamingoes in Dharavi, a light and sound installation, and the Indian drag queen Teya reading to kids and adults the children’s short story ‘The Many Colours of Anshu.’ They also hosted a conversation with pioneering documentary photographer Martha Cooper, the Swiss/San Franciscan muralist Mona Caron, and the Brooklyn-based Japanese street artist Lady Aiko on a panel moderated by co-founder and curator of St+art India Foundation Giulia Ambrogi.

Ella & Pitr. France. STart – India. Dharavi, Mumbai. (photo © Martha Cooper)

Since Ms. Cooper was in Mumbai, she did us the great favor of capturing the works on the streets to share with the BSA family.

Today we have images from the Dharavi slum, a completely different street art project than the docks. It is an afternoon trip. According to some, it has become a larger tourist attraction than the Taj Mahal after it was featured in the movie “Slum Dog Millionaire”.

An ethnologist by training, Martha also befriends people. She asks if she can photograph them, so you will always get a sublime mix of art and people and the context in her collection. We’re proud to share these with you today; a city full of rich colors, street activity, elaborate design, religious symbols, and maritime history.

Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Guido van Helten. Detail. Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Guido van Helten. Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Oliver. STart – India. Dharavi, Mumbai. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Dzia. Belgium. STart – India. Dharavi, Mumbai. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Aravani Art Project. Bangalore. STart – India. Dharavi, Mumbai. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Aravani Art Project. Bangalore. STart – India. Dharavi, Mumbai. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Aravani Art Project. Bangalore. STart – India. Dharavi, Mumbai. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Aravani Art Project. Bangalore. STart – India. Dharavi, Mumbai. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Mies Toland. USA. Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Tyler. Mumbai. Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Milo. Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Boiling milk for a religious ceremony. Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Unidentified artist. Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Guido van Helten. Australia. Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Unidentified artist. Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Zero. India. Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Poes. France. Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Unidentified artist. Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Elisa. Spain. Unidentified artist. Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Workshop with children with Dzia. Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Anpu Varkey. Delhi. Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Unidentified artist. Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Loko Poko Studio. Mumbai. Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Avinash Kumani. India. Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Jarus. Canada. Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Jas Charanjiva. Mumbai. Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Dharavi, Mumbai. India. (photo © Martha Cooper)

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharavi

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St+ART India 2016: Niels “Shoe” Meulman, Reko Rennie, Anpu Varkey & Chifumi

St+ART India 2016: Niels “Shoe” Meulman, Reko Rennie, Anpu Varkey & Chifumi

Amsterdam based designer, artist, calligrafitti writer Niels Shoe Meulman appears to have had an excellent time in all the photos we’ve been seeing from his time in India. Tagging since the turn of the eighties, “Shoe” is still making meaningful and fresh marks around the world in a way that tells you he continues to push himself as an artist and to do more to expand his unique visual vocabulary.

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Niels Shoe Meulmuan for St+ART India 2016. New Delhi, India. (photo © @BlindEyeFactory)

The producers of ST+ART India continue to demonstrate a proclivity for quality programming – at least the general mix is of higher caliber thinkers and feelers than we are seeing in bigger (and more commercial) blow-out festivals. BSA readers are starting to become very accustomed to seeing great impactful work coming out of this relatively young mural event.

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Niels Shoe Meulmuan for St+ART India 2016. New Delhi, India. (photo © @BlindEyeFactory)

You’ll also notice a fair contingent of local talent on the roster in addition to more internationally recognizable Street Art names, which is always a good sign because it suggests an integration of community. With a few more days to go before the end of the 2016 program, we’ve already seen plenty.

Here’s our 3rd installment from this years events with Niels Shoe Meulman, Reko Rennie, Anpu Varkey and Chifumi – and we’ll do a round-up once its all wrapped.

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Niels Shoe Meulmuan for St+ART India 2016. New Delhi, India. (photo © @BlindEyeFactory)

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Niels Shoe Meulmuan for St+ART India 2016. New Delhi, India. (photo © @BlindEyeFactory)

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Anpu Varkey for St+ART India 2016. New Delhi, India. (photo © @BlindEyeFactory)

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Anpu Varkey for St+ART India 2016. New Delhi, India. (photo © @BlindEyeFactory)

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Anpu Varkey for St+ART India 2016. New Delhi, India. (photo © @BlindEyeFactory)

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Reko Rennie for St+ART India 2016. New Delhi, India. (photo © @BlindEyeFactory)

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Reko Rennie for St+ART India 2016. New Delhi, India. (photo © @BlindEyeFactory)

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Reko Rennie for St+ART India 2016. New Delhi, India. (photo © @BlindEyeFactory)

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Reko Rennie for St+ART India 2016. New Delhi, India. (photo © @BlindEyeFactory)

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Chifumi for St+ART India 2016. New Delhi, India. (photo © @BlindEyeFactory)

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Chifumi for St+ART India 2016. New Delhi, India. (photo © @BlindEyeFactory)

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Chifumi for St+ART India 2016. New Delhi, India. (photo © @BlindEyeFactory)

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Chifumi for St+ART India 2016. New Delhi, India. (photo © @BlindEyeFactory)

 

Our most sincere thanks to BSA Contributors Lorenzo and Giorgio at BlindEyeFactory.com for sharing their photos with BSA readers. Stay tuned for a full photo essay of this year’s edition of St+ART India with more photos from these gentlemen.

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