Bartan for Ballet

“The helmets need to convey a sense of the past and present coming together and they have to be stunning,” says Gupta,who is going through photographs of previous performances of Ballet Preljocaj and Bolshoi. His helmets are a concoction of kitchen wear meets space age in keeping with his signature style of using stainless steel vessels as a socio-political statement. Strainers,colanders and frying pans come together in this version of Gupta-gear.

The ballet will see French choreographer Preljocaj,along with 12 other performers from the Bolshoi theatre group,fuse contemporary and classical dance forms as they explore the music and choreography of the 20th and 21st centuries. “Preljocaj will be giving birth to a new style,” says Gupta,who describes his stint with Bolshoi as “interesting”. “What is striking about this project is that it is a contemporary take on classical theatrical production,” says Gupta.

“The ballet premieres on September 14 in Moscow and I am really excited about it. I am working like crazy,with three solo shows coming up as well,” says Gupta who has shows lined up in Seoul,Zurich and Scotland. Preljocaj,too,is excited,this being the first time that the Bolshoi Theatre has built a season around a theme. “The theatre company hopes to get a feel of the style,manner and nerve of the present day while also conveying a sense of tomorrow,” says Preljocaj.

Gupta was approached,along with music composer Laurent Garnier,as both of them “are at the cutting edge of their respective professions”,says Preljocaj. Gupta’s art is much sought after,with his sculpture Very Hungry God bought by Christie’s owner Francios Pinault in 2006 for an undisclosed amount,while the same year saw his canvas,Across Seven Seas,sell for Rs 4.5 crore.

“We have plans to bring the ballet to India next year,” says Gupta. “It will be great if we can pull it off,” he signs off.