Author: pinkysoni

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Amar Sipahi

amar-sipahi-1

Title- Amar Sipahi ( A Soldier Never Dies)
Year- 2016
Dimensions- 25 ft High x 8ft wide and 5 ft Depth
Location- Select City Walk, Mall Saket
Executioner- ARTWORKZZ
Sponsor- Select Infrastructure Pvt Ltd
Material- Casted Bullet Shells over MS structure

Amar Sipahi ( Tribute to Kargil war heroes)

“No BULLET can pierce thy SOUL”

“My heart and soul for India, My Body’s the BULLETS and my spirit is victorious” the essence of bravery and sacrifice of Kargil war heroes has been evocatively displayed by the Art Installation “No BULLET can pierce thy SOUL”

To Commemorate 17 years of Kargil Victory , an exclusively created 22 feet high Soldier Figure with his Gun,  paying Homage to the war heroes  will be displayed at the Central Atrium of Select City Walk Mall , Saket Delhi from 21st to 26th July, 2016.

80,000 Bullet shells from toe to head cover the 3 storey high soldier structure Gopal with his team created this marvel to salute the spirit of patriotism and victory which made India win the most difficult war of Kargil .

The inspiration originated from undying spirit of a soldier and his rooted belief in the quotes from “Gītā” Summarized from TEXT 23 :

nainam chindanti sastrani, nainam dahati pavakah
na cainam kledayanty apo, na sosayati marutah

The soul can never be cut into pieces by any weapon, nor can he be burned by fire, nor moistened by water, nor withered by the wind.

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Taj Gateway Resorts Damdama Lake

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Title/Project – Taj Gateway Resorts Damdama Lake
Year- 2013-14
Dimensions- Life size farm animals 50 in qty
Location- Damdama Lake, Gurugram, Haryana
Executioner- Rajiv Agarwal Architects
Sponsor-  Dhoot Constructions
Material- Scrap Metal, (Automobile Junk)
Award: International Design Award

Coexistence
TAJ, GATEWAY RESORTS, DAMDAMA LAKE, HARYANA

Gopal had been trying his hands on sculptures and assemblages from junk for a new art series after accomplishing almost 60mural projects , functional art and collaged canvas shows  in mixmedia from year 2005 to 2013.

Coincidently his work prototypes yet in a 3d armature stage were spotted by architect Rajiv Agarwal and was asked to team up with him as an artist on his sustainable architectural Resort project to continue with his series. His artistic sensibilities matched well with the earthy , rawness  of the green space of 11 acres taking shape as Taj Gateway resorts  at Damdama Lake .

Almost 50 sculptures and art installations in junk metal spread across the main public area creating a whole sanctuary of farm animals in junked/broken scatched automobile parts greeting the guests in the natural environs.

It is exciting  to spot a bunch of metallic cranes standing and welcoming you right as the gates open in parkway to let the guests in and then at restaurant while you sip your dink enjoying birds chirping  you spot another flock of metal birds flying your way from outside.

A cow family all made of car roofs to Hero Honda petrol tank and such found junk, looks busy grazing yet attentive to secure its calf would appear on your way towards the reception lobby. With a built of iron and steel, they are brawny and tough on the outside but, as they are a reflection of life in its various forms, they retain their true nature of innocence and lively expressions.

The beauty of their (sculpted animals/Birds and insects’ forms) genuine expressions can still be seen reflecting out of the metallic lifeless forms because that’s the artist’s heart that deeply is connected and concerned with rapid/unplanned  urbanization..

Testimonial :

It is a pleasure to inform that The Gateway Resort, Damdama has received the best Hotel Project award (mail below) by reputed international jury.  Sculptures designed and installed by you have made significant impact on property and contributed as serious factor to win this award.  We have received many brilliant feedback from a number of guests for the sculptures and their thought process. 

The resort is also featured in many reputed magazines.  I shall courier the copies to you shortly.

 Many Congratulations to you and thank you for your contributions.

 It was great working with you on this project.

 Look forward to many such association in future.

 

Warm Regards, 

Vaibhav Tapdiya

Director

Dhoot Infrastructure Projects Limited

904 – 907 Time Tower, M.G. Road

Gurgaon – 122 001 (Haryana)

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Coexistence You/Me/Them/Us

Coexistence-YouMeThemUs-1

Series: Co-Existence
Exhibition Title-Coexistence You/Me/Them/Us
Year- 2015, 2016, 2017
Dimensions- Varied
Location- India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, Kala Ghoda Art Festival, Mumbai,Phenix Mall Mumbai, Select City Walk, Saket, Delhi , Cyberhub – Gurugram, and Bangalore
Executioner- ARTWORKZZ
Sponsor- ARTWORKZZ
Material- Scrap metal  

Coexistence

A factor that stands out in his metal creations is the strong connect to ecology and life force that they portray besides depicting beings that man is integrally connected to in day to day life. 

For instance, his live installations displayed at Cyberhub Gurgaon  revealed  an extensive depiction of the cows and her calf with the herds man  . “Humans are irrevocably dependent on the cow, starting from birth. Glorifying this selfless animal through sculptures not only reminds the viewer of its irreplaceable role but also serves as a way of paying homage to its presence in human life”, explains Namjoshi. 

Likewise, many other animal forms such as the elephant, the peacock, the deer, birds, insects and trees are seen in plenty amongst his installations, depicting their co-existence. “Deforestation has become a way of life in the villages, the forests reclaimed for agricultural purposes. This has impacted the ecology adversely and yet humans are not connecting to this adverse impact that manifests in multiple forms including droughts and drying of lakes and rivers.

 The bio-parks created and yet endangered by rampant construction and development , sparks this awareness on the plunder that has ceaselessly set in, the urban spaces and people inhabiting doing little to address this ecological irreversible damage”, explains Namjoshi. 

His series on Coexistence to sensitize public at large of beauty and possible damages has extensively travelled to many cities like Mumbai Kala ghoda Art Fest, Phoenix Malls, Begaluru, India Habitat Centre, Delhi and Gurugram and exhibited at Galleries as well as public spaces and now at virtual spaces.

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ITEC

ITEC-1

Title/Project- IIT Delhi Technopark , ITEC
Year- 2018
Dimensions- Varied, range- 6ft-40ft high
Location- Sonipat, Haryana, India
Executioner- NBCC
Sponsor- IIT Delhi
Material- Brass, Copper, Wood, Steel  and scrap metal

ITEC, Sonipat ( IIT Delhi Technopark)

The HEAD

The Head is where ideas take wings

Simple materials like mild steel strips have been directly modeled in the shape of human head to show the processing, assimilation and translation of raw data to great ideas and imagination. Data transformed into innovations that have contributed to human advancement and is symbolically depicted as blooming flowers, butterflies and birds soaring high. Positioning this huge 40 ft high  installation right at entrance in the main atrium of IITD Techno park facility  meant to nourish  techno startups and incubation setups, resonates well with the function and mission of the center. 

Take – Off

Driving all  pioneering ideas to a new high is the raison d’être of this art installation right on the high arches of entry gate, of the Techno park center. Gleaming wings in stainless steel, brass and copper direct the vision to a brighter, advanced future and with a promise of facilitating an environment with limitless opportunities.

Bloom: 

Environments nurturing innovative,  technology inclined minds are meant to give fresh and simpler perspectives to the sight , with curvilinear metal pipes and nuts, bolts and gears creating a 25 ft artist’s signature styled floral art installation in the guesthouse area of the center. The view from all rooms provide a perfect breakaway delight giving much need breather to constantly working minds . Additionally it brings in the co- existence of science and nature in a strictly concrete , glass and steel building .

Conversations

This linear beauty as if rapidly sketched in mild steel rods measuring 15 ft high and 8 ft wide , right in the lobby and entrance wall of auditorium gives a little quirky element to otherwise serious space. Adding fun and conversing faces is so much relatable of the crowds mingling yet waiting to get seated to attend the event soon to start. Shared thoughts, refine and add diverse perspectives to validate the functionality of ideas. 

Such spaces where freedom of articulating remain vital, are fertile grounds for  creating inspiring environments for growth  of humanity 

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Decoding Patriarchal Codes

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Series – Decoding Patriarchal Codes
Year- 2019
Dimensions- height- 20ft, width speed- 20ft, depth- 10ft
Location- India Habitat Centre(IHC), New Delhi
Curator- Leena Namjoshi
Sponsor- Visual Arts Gallery, IHC
Material-  Powder coated MS Sheets and rods and Scrap Metal, (Automobile Junk)

Decoding Patriarchal Codes

Public Art Installation
5th to 20th October, 2019

“Decoding Patriarchal Codes” is an ongoing community driven Art project by Gopal exploring the impacts of Patriarchy in the behavior and current trends opted by the youth in  Indian society  initiated by  Leena Namjoshi as a curator and his collaborative partner. 

This Exploratory and dynamic project has been planned as a continuous series with various aspects of patriarchy impacting  multiple layers of society and demography from different perspectives, consciously and unconsciously. 

Gopal being an activist artist wants to display his thought process in tandem with other voices of community of professionals as a resounding echo to the impacts being caused to public at large. All his past artworks resonate with the theme of ecology, cosmos, and most of all, coexistence. “Decoding Patriarchal Codes” too, is an extension of this very notion. 

Installation covering around 20 sq ft space of the site, 10 ft high arched walls as a boundry to the given freedom of choice to the 21st century women. Central dominating visual of a high backed chair with arms and crossed legged metal armature and pointed shoes on a pedestal symbolically depicting the ” Patriarch” surrounded with sculpted feminine forms dressed in western and traditional outfits and accessories also expressing diverse meanings of suppression and domination.

A series of events, performances and conversations that move beyond the issue towards a/many alternate possible solution/s  were/are being  planned and organized in different colleges and at the venue itself. The young college students for whom this is only a beginning to encode their own notions on patriarchy as they grow up are actively engaged in terms of various outreach programs, workshops, engaging installations and dialogue as a curatorial venture by Leena. 

And as one exhibition concludes from his first showing the installation grows from merely a display by Gopal the Artist to expressions and solutions submitted in the course of varied interactive events, which fill up arched walls and social media space  of the specially created Digital handles for this project to  buzz out loud and clear in public at large. 

“ Ja Simran Ja”

2nd in series was at IGNCA as part of a huge 5 days festival to celebrate International Women’s Day. Gopal shows the polarity of attitude educated men and women are expected to  with rules set for each of them differently. Stereotypically considered jobs , considered fit for a particular gender when do not adhere to the defined norms and how a society responds to that extreme outcome . 

The context specific installation by Gopal narrates a story of a  A woman Biker leaving past the gate of so called binding notions on her Royal Enfied bike (Bullet ), having its own very many, masculine interpretation while what she leaves 

inside the gate is more unfinished home chores, which were her daily life and identity.

Suggestive of a need for changing narrative In a Patriarchally surcharged world for a better peaceful world. A narrative  that pulsates, breathes and brings harmony to this disrupted world-order. 

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Gurugram Entry

Gurugram ki Udan
Gurugram ki Udan
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Series: Co-Existence
Title- Gurugram Kee Udaan ( Flight of Gurugram)
Year- 2020
Dimensions- Height- 8.5ft, width – 15ft, depth- 8ft
Location- Delhi – Haryana Border
Executioner- I AM GURGAON
Sponsor- Make My Trip, GMDA, MCG
Material- Scrap Metal, (Automobile Junk mainly Mild Steel)

Gurugram kee Udaan (Flight of Gurugram)

The spectacular Eagle Owl found in the Northern Aravalli Range is perched at the entry point to Gurugram from Delhi, poised to take off.

Once disappeared Indian Eagle-Owl (Bubo Bengalensis ) rises again and rehabitated, choosing the green spaces recreated by consistent efforts of     “I AM Gurgaon” and culturally active NGO sensitising civic communities and Public organisation towards Bio Diversity and greener environment. 

 To celebrate this hope of greener Gurugram this art installation by Gopal Namjoshi further harbors the coexistence and offers an art inspired , spirited entry  to the millennium city. 

Made of 1400 KG of metal junk periodically collected from the scrap yards across Gurugram.The items used range from metal chains, cogs, rods, wheels, nuts, bolts, sheets, to broken metal pieces; essentially metal scrap sold in bulk to scrap dealers from where it is shipped to melting units; items that the Kabadiwalas view as unusable except for the metal content that can be reclaimed.

Took 6 months to create this installation.

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IIT Delhi

IIT Delhi
IIT Delhi
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Title/Project – IIT, Art from Junk, Workshop
Year- 2017
Dimensions- 8 ft High x 15 ft wide, 9 Ft High x 10 ft wide
Location- IIT Delhi Campus
Sponsor- IIT Delhi
Material- Discarded laboratory objects

IIT Delhi – Art From Junk Workshop

Pillars of excellence & The Pencil Tree

Gopal being a popular mentor for arts and design students explore collaborative ventures with students from multidisciplinary fields. “Art From Junk” at IIT Delhi was one such month-long workshop with 30  senior BTECH  students to think creatively and break away from the fixed formulae of problem-solving.

Creating sustainable environments being the currency to ignite the interest  of students further it was decided to use  scrap /trash lying over across various departments to relate better with the materials and see the beauty in those discarded objects.

Divided into two groups  participating students had different stories to narrate with multiple techniques of chiseling, welding, casting, cutting sawing ,and binding varied materials.  In tools, pipes and elbows they found letters ” Art From Junk” and created a colorful Mural as if declaring their first arrival  in the world of art.  The first mural by them further added to the deeper engagement of students in the workshop. 

They painted empty paint drums vibrant and colorful, which became the seats under “The Pencil Tree” a huge installation the wood team created out of fallen tree trunks, twigs, and branches. 

The site came alive with some more buzzing of art in the air of IIT Delhi. Suddenly every material became functional and beautiful and transformed into “The Pillars of Excellence” the letters of IIT, Delhi had beakers, keyboards, mouse-parts, electrical wires, motherboards, and cycle rims into them. 

IIT pillar installation shines  bright in the glory of the IITIANS and their spirit makes the story of these installations delectable for selfie-obsessed generations clicking and taking the memories of the journey that was “Art from Junk” Workshop.

October 2017

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Gajyatra

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Series : Coexistence
Project/ Exhibition: “Gajyatra” – Safe corridor for Elephants
Title- I want my wings back
Year- 2017 and 2018 
Dimensions- 7.5 ft High x 9ft Length and 5 ft Wide
Location- Showcased at Nehru memorial Delhi and IGNCA, Delhi
Curator- Dr. Alka Pande and Ananya Rhane
Sponsor- Wildlife Trust of India
Material-  Mild steel structure and scap metal

Gajyatra by WTI ( Wildlife Trust Of India) ( Environment Ministry of India)

‘I want my wings back’, Yours truly, Elephant

“How elephants lost their wings” in a Folk lore from Orissa, When Elephants were favorite flying mounts for many Gods and were happy creatures flying between Earth and Heaven, until came humans and made houses ( now skyscrapers)  and rooftops for elephants not to rest. When elephants, from being beautiful creature became the animals creating turmoil for humans, so did God chopped their magnanimous wings and gave 2 wings to Peacock and Banana Plant. 

The plight of  Elephants with chopped off wings did not end here  but  continues till today and making them a threatened species.

Then wings, now corridors humans are creating havoc for them.  As a Keystone species ,  do we as humans realize their importance for the overall biome and its biodiversity ???

 Here is my way of expressing their plight and in continuation to my series on Co-Existence , while elephant being the forerunner to the theme , I urge for these Ecological engineers to help them acquire their wings and if not so at least safe corridors to ease their migration and engineer their habitats.

In my effort to utilize metal junk as material vocabulary, I have tried to add wings reminding humans of their glorious past and birds  and flies as the companions who find shelter/food and continuity to their existence along with many in this flora and fauna worlds because of this marvelous vitality to our existence!!!