Of monumental proportions

Manpriya Singh 

So what was Le Corbusier trying to symbolize through the iconic sculptural monument The Open Hand? Although given the urban devastation on the city’s skyline, today the late architect might mean, ‘Talk to the Hand’…on a serious note, when conceived, the 26-metre structure was thought of as a place where masses could gather and discuss issues. As for the hand, well, it means, ‘Open to Give—Open to Receive.’ 

Just a sector away, was the late Nek Chand, trying to highlight the beauty of broken ceramics and what not! Whatever led to the humble beginnings, the icons introduced sculptures into the city’s character. 

Commercial wonders 

It has taken us slightly longer to take the arty road to beautifying the surroundings at other places in the city; with most commercial places’ idea of sculptures limited to life-size Buddha structures in various alloys. Once in a while, comes along something really big and interesting. The Dancing Duo, a 60-feet tall structure at Piccadilly Square, more than just beautifies the multiplex. It lends the much needed arty feel and character to the surroundings. 

“When we were briefed about the project, we were told that it had to be something different and something that would make the crowd pause, notice, admire and be more aware of their surroundings,” shares the sculptor Paramjit Singh Rana, whose company Ambience, undertook the project. “My brother and I together conceived the idea and our team of eight people, comprising technicians, built the sculpture,” adds the pass-out from Government College of Art, who feels, “that paintings adorn a wall but a sculpture deals with environment and totally transforms the surroundings.” 

He adds, “I joined the Arts College in 1989 and there weren’t enough applicants for even five seats in applied arts! As for sculpture, I must have been the only who pursued the subject back then.” There’s been no looking back. “Thankfully, the demand and interest are both percolating down from public places to commercial spaces to now even residential areas.” 

Lobby beauty

At JW Marriott, there is ample artwork in 3D to take note of. Starting with a metal sculpture displayed on the wall. “There is a variety of artwork on display all over the hotel,” shares Vikas Kumar, director of operations, JW Marriott, while talking about a 6- ft by 14-ft metal work displayed on a wall in the hotel’s lobby. “It represents a tree; well the tree symbolizes India and its branches are reaching out to the world. The branches also signify the nation’s developing economy.” 

For the public

Functional sculptures at Leisure Valley (meant for people to sit and enjoy the view) might be in immediate need of attention, but that does not obviate the fact that the spot, meant for college-going students, has more artwork than we care to take note of -  from the one in marble and Kalka stone to Matharu’s steel structure to Shiv Singh’s galvanized pipe maze!  

A few metres away, there is warehouse of interesting artworks, right from the replica of renowned artist Sankho Chaudhuri’s original artwork in terracotta. Says Vishal Bhatnagar, a doctorate in visual arts and art resource person at The Government Museum and Art Gallery, “When I first came to the city in 1995, as a student of sculpture, there were two artworks that inspired me; one being the replica in concrete by BM Chugh of the original terracotta sculpture by Sankho Chaudhuri. It is very Indian in its feel and lends a human touch to the concrete city, which might be too much to take for students like me, who come from outside.” He adds, “The other being Shiv Singh’s steel structure in geometrical formation. It is so modern.” 

BALLE BALLE

Talking of city’s very own and renowned sculptor Shiv Singh’s works; at Punjab Kala Bhawan, it is hard to miss the 18-feet tall, black and shiny metal sculpture called Bhangra Dance. Made with hollow steel pipes that are twisted in between, the artwork comes with a clear stamp of the late Shiv Singh (being his representation of Bhangra Dance). 

Did we miss any? Yes, as many as 250 sculptures at Kalagram, all done in either red, black or white marble. Opines Bhatnagar, “Yes, there is a trend to be seen at commercial places, but they are industrial productions. Our true test is when we’ll actually find artistic creations adorning people’s homes. So far that trend has only begun in paintings.” Meanwhile, he adds, “There are as many as seven sculptures at the museum lying around, from last year’s first-ever sculpture symposium held in the city. Which one of those will adorn public spaces is yet to be finalised.” That’s seven more renowned additions; artistic and aesthetic! 

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