Man Against Machine

Three weeks ago,Deora decided to demolish a 1974 white Contessa in the name of art,and the wreck,a sculptural mass of twisted steel,will be displayed along with photographs and videos documenting its destruction. Or creation,depending on your perspective. Deora led baffled gallery-goers away from the posh space overlooking Arthur Bunder Road to a derelict mill at the edge of the sea. It’s a creepy place,hardly suited to an art exhibition. And there lay the car,recounts Deora,like “a giant UFO that’s just landed,with sledge hammers spread all around it”.

The group picked up the hammers and began to bludgeon the car. “The first step is mental,” says the artist,“A few people were shy or scared; they said it was violent.” Not to mention that “a car is usually somebody else’s property”. Indeed,his friend Aravind Vijaymohan,who had come down from Delhi for this did not end up participating. “I felt bad for the car,but the event has personality,” says Vijaymohan. What he saw surprised him: “There were burly guys who weren’t participating,and girls in Jimmy Choos who would just go at it.” Pier Paolo Alessandrello,an engineer from Italy,chose to take the sledgehammer to the beleaguered Contessa.

Collector Ashiesh Shah,who was in attendance,is enthusiastic about Deora’s work and says,“Often you’re a spectator of performance art. Here you’re the performer and spectator.” The exhibition continues until December 5,and Jiwarajka wants Volte to be more than the newest hip place for concept art in Mumbai. He has also opened a bookshop and wi-fi café where one can enjoy salads,cupcakes and locally-grown organic coffee,while,one imagines,pleasurably chatting about art.

Volte opens at Kaman Mansion,1st Floor,Near Radio Club

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