As the year draws to a close, India's cultural landscape is buzzing with a diverse array of exhibitions and events that blend technology, art, design, and festive celebrations. From New Delhi's contemplative digital art to Mumbai's Italian Christmas feast, there's something for every enthusiast to explore before the calendar turns.
Where Technology Becomes a Living Organism
In the heart of New Delhi, a profound question about the nature of art and technology is being asked. Veteran artist Mukesh Sharma presents his latest exhibition, Decoding Digital DNA, at Bikaner House. Curated by Archana Khare-Ghose, the show investigates how technology transcends its role as a mere tool to become a living, breathing presence within artwork.
With nearly three decades of experience in technology-based materiality, Sharma transforms digital components into immersive installations. The curatorial note explains that his practice acts as a bridge between innovation, sustainability, and contemporary digital culture. His works reimagine circuitry as an organism, data as memory, and digital material as a growing layer of human existence. The exhibition is open daily from 11 am to 7 pm and will run until 23 December.
Celebrations of Friendship, Festivity, and Form
Meanwhile, in Hyderabad, the Kadari Art Gallery in Jubilee Hills is hosting Muse: The Making Room. This exhibition celebrates two decades of friendship between designers Hufeza Rangwala and Jasem Pirani, the co-founders of the Mumbai-based design firm MuseLAB. It highlights the human relationship that propelled their studio from a two-person practice to a recognized multidisciplinary voice.
The display features a collection of sketches, architectural models, conceptual notes, and furniture pieces, some of which showcase a delightful sense of whimsy. Visitors can experience this journey in design until 30 December, from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm, with the gallery closed on Sundays.
In Mumbai, the festive spirit takes a delicious turn at Cecconi's restaurant in Soho House, Chandrabai Nagar. From 20 December to 4 January, the venue will serve a special 'Christmas Time' menu steeped in Italian traditions. The feast includes highlights like apple-roasted turkey, porcini involtini, pumpkin and gorgonzola cappelletti, and the classic panettone with mascarpone, available from noon to midnight.
From the Void to the Vibrant: Art and Fandom
Back in the capital, artist Gunjan Chawla Kumar is presenting her solo show, Sifr, at Exhibit 320 in Lado Sarai. The exhibition delves into the philosophical concept of zero, exploring it as both a void and a vessel. Through drawings, paintings, and sculptural forms crafted from clay, handwoven cotton, and earth sediments, Kumar gives form to this abstract idea. The show is on view until 15 January, from 11 am to 6 pm daily.
For fans of pop culture and fantasy, Bengaluru is the place to be. The much-anticipated Bengaluru Comic Con returns to the KTPO Trade Center in Whitefield on 20 and 21 December. This two-day extravaganza will feature over 20 Indian and international comic book writers, illustrators, and storytellers.
Attendees can look forward to interactions with notable guests such as Savio Mascarenhas from Amar Chitra Katha, cartoonist Sumit Kumar, and Robert Capron, a writer known for his work with major studios like Disney and Twentieth Century Fox. The event runs from 11 am to 8 pm, and details are available on the official Comic Con India website.
This season offers a rich tapestry of experiences across India's major cities, showcasing the country's dynamic fusion of traditional themes and modern expression. Whether you're drawn to the philosophical depths of art, the joy of festive food, or the energetic world of comics, there's an event waiting to captivate you.
