Photo Exhibition - Places I like August 17, 2009

Photo Exhibition : Places I like - From a workshop by Stefan Koppelkamm. The exhibition features photos by: Aniruddha Ghosh, Apurva Mathad, Archana Venson, Arnab Dey, Dayaprasad Kulkarni, Deepti Jois, Jyothy Karat, Kusum Dhar Prabhu, Mallikarjun Katakol, Peeyush Sekhsaria, Rahil Arora, Rajeev Malagi, Rajesh Pandey, Ravi Shankar Kolara & Swarna Kumarswamy. The objective of the 3-week workshop was to define the personal criteria that determine the "quality of life" in a city. The focus was more on the routine and normal, rather than the unusual. Social aspects of the city (neighbourliness, the presence of smaller stores and cottage industries, etc.) that are not immediately discernible to outsiders were more important than outstanding architecture or excellent design. The 15 participants - a mix of professional and amateur photographers - started their field work, guided by Mr. Koppelkamm, in the last week of July with an attempt to visualise the intrinsic qualities of "their" places. In the second part of the workshop the group discussed the different projects and made their selection for the exhibition. The places portrayed in this exhibition are as diverse as the city itself: They include bustling markets or shopping centres such as Russell Market or Avenue Road, secluded and peaceful areas such as the Mughal Fort and the Someshwara Temple in Ulsoor, Charles Correa's Bimanagar township from the early '70s and the L&T South City, a recent project on the periphery of the city which is contrasted by quarters like Malleswaram or Cooke Town, where the architectural heritage is threatened by land speculation and the building of freeways. Two of the photographers portray their favourite hangouts, one a small caf in Indiranagar, the second one the famous Koshy's in St. Marks Road. In the case of Avenue Road which is actually threatened by plans to widen the road, the exhibition might hopefully be a strong visual argument against the destruction of this unique architectural and socio-economic ensemble.

Official Website: http://www.buzzintown.com/?128595&ref=yupg&refcity=4