In Black And White

An icon in Indian art,the humble rickshaw is a recurring theme even in Italian artist Fabio Orlanduccis first exhibition of photographs,currently on at Delhis India International Centre.

An icon in Indian art,the humble rickshaw is a recurring theme even in Italian artist Fabio Orlanduccis first exhibition of photographs,currently on at Delhis India International Centre. You can spot it in the stairwell,on the way to the gallery,the hot pink of the narrow seat flashing loudly from a photograph,further painted in watercolours,rendering a dreamy,fuzzy quality to the images.

Shot during autumn in 2008,Orlanducci lugged a pin hole camera everywhere,and found rickshaw drivers lounging around on the seats. The rickshaw is a marvelous and refreshing vehicle that I discovered during the course of my travels to Chandni Chowk says Orlanducci,53,who shuttles between Rome and India.

However,his exhibition isnt only about the unique Indian vehicle,Chandni Chowk From Eight to Ten Oclock,also captures the the busy market,before it opens for business,when the traders lay out their wares (at that hour its mainly flowers). The 10 images,in black and white have an evocative quality to them,the pinhole camera rendering a soft blur to the images,bringing alive the past. Undoubtedly,Chandni Chowk,now shorn of its colours,has rarely looked this beautiful. For instance,in one image,the street seems to swim before the eyes while in another photo,the subjects,a skull capped rickshawala is reduced to a blur.

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Adding chutzpah to the show was a real rickshaw,planted in the centre of the gallery,a source of delight to the intrepid guests who braved the rains on Friday and attended Orlanduccis show,including Roberto Toscano,Ambassador of Italy to India.

(The exhibition is on till February 19,11 a.m.to 7 p.m,India International Centre Annexe. Contact 24619431)

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In Black And White

An icon in Indian art,the humble rickshaw is a recurring theme even in Italian artist Fabio Orlanduccis first exhibition of photographs,currently on at Delhis India International Centre.

An icon in Indian art,the humble rickshaw is a recurring theme even in Italian artist Fabio Orlanduccis first exhibition of photographs,currently on at Delhis India International Centre.