Friday, August 5, 2016

Landscaped Canvas

By FinchD
Photography: Courtesy The Purple Ink Studio
Read Time: 2 mins

landscaped wall
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Bengaluru’s Gallery G - the foundation office for India’s foremost modern artist, Raja Ravi Varma gets a beautifully landscaped wall fronting its window; courtesy The Purple Ink Studio...

Five metres high, partially covered in lush green foliage and partially textured as a blank canvas, the wall at the entrance of the gallery is conceptualised around the work of the progressive artist, whose paintings were an ideal blend of modern British processes, and traditional Indian motifs. 

preparing the wall surface
Basic preparation of wall
applying the chape pattern
Applying the chape pattern
Diligently replicating the design along the entire wall
Diligently replicating the design along the entire wall
Diligently replicating the design along the entire wall
Diligently replicating the design along the entire wall

Although built with only two primary materials: concrete and greens, it is aesthetically complemented by locally-sourced bamboo mats called chape. Crafted into alternating patterns of horizontal and vertical divisions, chapes have been diligently worked upon by local artisans to create a stimulating visual arrangement.
 
Sectioning the wall
Sectioning the wall
Setting up the planter inserts
Setting up the planter inserts
Filling in the plants
Filling in the plants

Interspersed with nearly 1000 plantations, the wall is animated with a dense cover that softens the hardscape.  Beneath it is a pool lined with plantations, replenished with an intermittent organisation of bamboo water spouts. While the plants largely augment the green cover on site, a cladding of hand- painted, coloured tiles balances the colour scheme and organic character of the space, personalising it.
 
Spouts added for a dynamic visual treat
Spouts added for a dynamic visual treat
Border of hand-painted tiles
Border of hand-painted tiles  

Not only do the varying textures and densities on the wall create a sublime landscape design, but also allow the area to be converted into an outdoor exhibition space. With the help of focused down lighters, the expanse of the wall provides a profound backdrop for the display of art. Additionally, the planter floor acts as a dais for three-dimensional art models.
 
landscaped wall
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landscaped wall at Gallery G
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The combination of the concrete, planters and chape, transforms the wall into an experimental three-dimensional geometry; reminiscent of the work of Varma, constituting a vivid narrative of a fusion between the revival of traditional materials, and the celebration of contemporary techniques. 

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