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Transition areas maintain poignant reflection as connecting hyperlinks as they silver-tongue India’s awe-inspiring historical narrative on the ongoing ‘India and the World: A History in Nine Stories’ exhibition at the CSMVS, Mumbai…

The din of the surface world ceased to exist, when I entered a darkish corridor and set sight on two stone hand axes from India and Tanzania glistening in the distance, beckoning to be ‘discovered’. The singular radiance of these and other objects like pottery, as soon as present in dark caves, however now sharing an ephemeral space within these coarsely-textured, contoured walls… paying homage to the ancient metropolis of Petra.

Stepping from one object of intrigue to another, I silently acknowledged a seamless spatial sequence that was taking me via the exhibition, wholesomely participating me in an immersive, uninterrupted viewing experience. Every one of many 200 objects and artworks from museums within the Indian subcontinent and the British Museum in London are positioned in a state of juxtaposition, always in dialogue with one another.

Architects Brinda Somaya and Nandini Sampat of Somaya & Kalappa Consultants, who are the exhibition designers for this imagistic sumptuousness have attempted to create a visual metaphor for the cyclical nature of time utilizing the metonymy museum design technique. The result: the exhibition generates a collective narrative – that of the story of ‘Time’ as seen via the lens of India towards the backdrop of similar occurrences in other elements of the world – even as it presents an insight into the story behind each of its 200-odd objects.

The meticulous design of the broad sections – from the prehistoric period to the current – is an exercise in congruence and context. Defined by one-off atmospheres and accentuated by colours, textures and theme-based components, spaces carry a unique narrative. For example, the location of deep-red panels with graphic ornate columns and two gateway objects – fragmented pillars from the Mauryan and Achaemenid Persian empires – marks the emergence of scale and grandeur in the age of empires.

In stark contrast, the impartial silver-grey background of the ‘State and Faith’ part highlights treasured cash plastered with the imagery of rulers and their religion. In ‘Picturing the Divine’, every spiritual sculpture commands attention; but, converses with the opposite.

Further alongside, a deep blue room brimming with porcelain, textiles and tomb stones chronicles the dissemination of information, tradition and tradition due to maritime trade by way of the Indian Ocean; whereas a stately grey-washed space holds objects from Indian courts mirrored by objects from overseas courts, segregated by an archway.

As I transfer up the stairs into the next all-white space interspersed with meshes, the narrative depicting globalization and transparency, it dawns on me – it is at junctions such as these that the whole level of the exhibition becomes clear.

It isn’t the historical past of India. It is but one of the historic discourses of India interpolated in opposition to the relatable happenings all over the world throughout the same time-frame. Viewing the objects in juxtaposition thus, makes for mesmeric delight for a history and culture buff like me.

I see myself approaching darkness, as soon as once more – the sensation not like that tangible second of discovery within the cavernous first section. My mind floats by way of the all-black area of ‘Time Unbound’, the place LN Thallur’s Unicode, surrounded by mirrors and darkness, augments this seemingly infinite nature of time. I stand. check here stare. I imbibe…slowly making way to exit the vortex, and as quickly as once more encounter the chaotic realities of our world.

Exhibition: India & the world: a history in 9 tales Venue: CSMVS Museum, 159-161, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort, Mumbai- 400032 Dates: Nov. eleven – Feb.18, 2017 Timing: 10.15 am – 6 pm

check out the images on indiaartndesign.com

Related Articles – historical past, museum, exhibition design, display design, institutional architecture, interactive design, India and the world,

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