Gallery G
Design
intent
The landscape insert is a window-view from an art gallery called Gallery G that
initially looked out into a bare 5 meter high wall. The
art gallery located in the heart of Bangalore city, India which is
also the foundation office for thelegendary Indian artist of the eighteenth
century who is considered as a protagonist of Modern Indian Art, Raja Ravi Verma.
The Raja Ravi Verma Heritage Foundation thus demanded a view that would form a
subtle backdrop to the interesting art display happening inside the gallery,
yet have an identity of its own belonging to the current realm of time.
The huge wall became a wide canvas for experimenting with the
surface by taking influences from the artist’s reaction to the Western
influences leading to a revival in primitivism. The vastness of the canvas was
taken as an added advantage to design the surface with use of subtle hues and
local materials and presenting them in a modern scenario.
The wall is designed with the use of only two prominent
materials – Concrete and greens. The surface was divided into panels for
creating patterns with the use of locally available bamboo mats called ‘chape’. These
mats were customized by local bamboo vendors to achieve the desired pattern
combinations for alternating horizontal and verticals, keeping the organic
structure of the bamboo intact.
Creating the effect of the traditional material on the concrete
signifies a strong connect between the modern and heritage art works that are
encouraged and displayed at the Gallery G and The Raja Ravi
Varma Heritage Foundation. The bamboo patterned surface is further induced with
a Living-wall as a second element with nearly 1000 numbers of plants that form
a dense green cover adding a soft yet vibrant layer to the overall visual
experience. The use of green as part of design focuses on eternity and
continual appreciation of the profound work of art by the legendary artist.
The design is taken a step ahead by adding another dimension to the surface beingmotion and sound. The wall
sees the introduction of water spouts made with local bamboo interspersed
within the green wall which drops into the water pondhosting varieties of water
plants. The pond is also linedwith a planter at the foreground fill with
abundance of green cover giving it a well balanced base. The front of the
planter is cladded with hand-painted tiles adding a splash of colour and series
of geometric patternsto the overall spatial experience.
The subtle backdrop to the vibrant gallery
space can also double up as outdoor display area on the wall that are lit by
downward focus light for exhibiting works of budding or experienced artists
alike. The space accommodates works of mixed media as well with the planter
floor becoming a stage for the display of 3 dimensional art works.