Art exhibition brings together Indian and Argentinian artists to explore realism, dystopia

The world around us plays a distinct role in formulating our perceptions, ideas and inspirations. The scape is defined as any extended view or the picture/representation of one. Be it a landscape, cityscape or seascape, each represents the inextricable relationship humans tend to form with their geographical surroundings. Adaptocology, 2020 by Meghna Patpatia depicts the constant changes in our landscape that cause creatures in their natural habitat to adapt and thrive in diverse environments. (Source: PR Handout)

Argentinian artist Julia Romano (represented by Basu Foundation for the Arts, Kolkata) and Indian artist Meghna Patpatia, though divided by geography and culture, merge their expression of this intricate relationship with the scape: a relationship that is universally experienced by all on this planet. Both take existing realistic elements and combine them with the surreal elements of mythology and ancient anthropology in a new art exhibition titled 'Dreamscapes' presented by Mumbai's Tao Art Gallery from October 22, 2021 to November 25, 2021 (daily from 11 am to 7 pm). The endeavour is to create these 'Dreamscapes' that question what is real and what is imagined, what is physical and what is metaphorical; Changes of State (Drawing 36), 2021 by Julia Romano depicts nature and its abundance. (Source: PR Handout)

“The landscape is transformed according to our experience in it. It is a cultural container that registers, in the multiplicity of the elements that compose it, a history of the world. The landscape is a superposition of moments that contribute to the construction of an exhaustive history of that place. Perhaps the most exciting thing is to recognise there is not a single reading of the territory, but that this succession of layers contains the testimony of each being that inhabits it," said Romano in a press statement; Analog Terrarium- Here I Was-N, 2021 by Meghna Patpatia explores how through the magnifications in the globes we look for the creatures and patterns that exist within our ecosystem (Source: PR Handout)

In a world where awareness of the value of land and the study of ancestral patterns is key to ensuring a sustainable future, Romano and Patpatia create works that not only aesthetically appease but also contain an underlying message of awakening. Aspects of co-existence and ecological and cultural synergy are beautifully highlighted through these dreamscapes, but with a subtle undertone of the very real threat of depletion in a dystopian future; Changes of State (Landscape 67) by Julia Romano is a collage of photographs shot in Julia’s neighbourhood Calera, Córdoba. These shots are mixed with Claude Lorrain’s paintings and handmade drawing of profuse nature that doesn’t exist (Source: PR Handout)

Patpatia takes it a step further by using the past to imagine the future. She stated, “The study of creature behaviour is inspired by mythological, historical and faerie elements. Along with these I draw an imagined future by connecting all the epochs bygone and currently unfurling. Sentient beings and natural elements are constant witnesses to changes in our biodiversity and terrain. I believe in honouring them by drawing them in diverse environments with repetitive patterns weaving them into transformative shifts.”; Analog Terrarium, 2021 by Meghna Patpatia stems from the concept of living in a bubble during the pandemic (Source: PR Handout)

Sanjana Shah, curator of the exhibition, creative director Tao Art Gallery, and the India ambassador of Arte Laguna Prize, hopes to juxtapose Romano's digital landscapes with Patpatia's works. She said, "Dreamscapes pairs together two artists from different cultures and geographical landscapes, but who share the same desire to explore the synergy between humans and the land they inhabit."; Cultural Landscape- India I, 2021 by Julia Romano. Inspired by the Indian Landscape, Julia created this collage especially for the show, where the images taken from her surroundings in Córdoba (i.e. the mountains, trees and plants in her neighbourhood and her garden) and put them together with a panoramic view of Mumbai (Source: PR Handout)

Julia Romano from Argentina (Source: PR Handout)

Shah added, "As a curator, I found this thematic overlap between the two to be interesting and relevant: Romano explores the impact of past ancestral generations on land while Patpatia envisions a surreal alternate reality or dystopian future as a result of it. The seed of the idea is the same, but the techniques and treatment of the works are different. Both create beautifully stunning and poignant works as a result! I am excited for the audience to come and experience the show and this synergy live in action."; Cultural Landscape XX- Tipa, 2018. This print is a collage depicting many European artists such as Bertin and Daubigny with Julia’s photographs shot in her homeland, Cordoba and Salta (city in north Argentina). The work visually weaves a tapestry of diverse times, places, narratives and cultures (Source: PR Handout)

Indian artist Meghna Patpatia (Source: PR Handout)

Much like the land around us, the art is layered, multi-faceted and deep in composition. The combined artistic dreamscapes of this two-person show help in bringing the world a little bit closer and opening our minds a little bit wider; Memory Morraine, 2021 by Meghna Patpatia depict glaciers ferrying memories of a million years glide by leaving debris remains in the form of moraines (Source: PR Handout)

Mighty Wings, 2021 by Meghna Patpatia represents taking flight of mythical creatures and stories. A dragon is spotted enveloped in a cabbage inspired hot air balloon gliding over landscapes with natural formations, glaciers and water bodies (Source: PR Handout)

Which is your favourite? Artworks by Julia Romano (L) and Meghna Patpatia (R); (Source: PR Handout)