Useful with classy touch

A LITTLE imagination combined with aesthetics could make one's living and working ambience artistic and inviting. A group of artists in Mumbai, collectively known as `Osmosis', creates functional items such as book-ends, ash trays, waste bins and lamps, which do not only serve their purpose, but also double up as art objects.

These utility items are made of wood and fibreglass with attention to aesthetics and quality with a creative edge, in the in-house studio and workshop by the contemporary artists of Osmosis, whose members include such well known names as Akbar Padamsee, Lalita Lajmi, Baiju Parthan and Jitish Kallat.

In most cases there is a human form as part of the design made of fibreglass, which appears deceptively like bronze. The translucent white cube, a table lamp, is pushed on the side by a male form or it could also come with a man sitting leaning on the wall. Another table lamp looks like a book with a male figure lying on it reading a paper. One may find the book-ends, being pushed by the same male. A human hand is there on a board to hold paper. You have a pen stand next to which sits a man in a very contemplative mood. A bench like letter holder finds a man seated on it. Another letter holder appears like a doorway with someone peeping into it. The human forms, though very small, are very realistic.

One can find various other items such as ashtrays, photo frames, circular and rectangular trays, note pads, diaries, waste paper bins and containers all artistically designed, with clean outlines and uncomplicated forms. They come in muted colours and matt finish and are also quite light, that they can be easily carried or moved. These can serve as ideal personal or corporate gifts too.

The Osmosis creations are on show at the Vinyasa Art Gallery (Music Academy campus) till September 27, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

LAKSHMI VENKATRAMAN

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Section  : Features
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