Could you ever have imagined that the coffee plant could be molded into an object of sheer beauty and creativity? Art has always been an individual expression of ideas and aspirations. When art takes form through the simple blend of natural pigments, plants, wood, cotton, and latex, it transforms into much more than being just an ordinary art sculpture – it becomes a sustainable inheritance from a person’s creativity. Ranjani Shettar’s latest solo museum exhibition in Mumbai, India does just that. Shettar’s first solo exhibition in India, High Tide for a Blue Moon is currently on display at the city’s oldest museum, the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, till February 17, 2013.

Shettar’s sculptural installations are inspired by nature and she makes use of natural, traditional ingredients in all of her works such as tamarind kernel paste, muslin cloth, latex, wooden beads, coffee stems, and natural pigments. Ten sturdy yet delicate sculptures infuse the museum’s grand interiors with poetic drama and create vivid pictures spanning landscapes. The highlight of the exhibition is High Tide for a Blue Moon where Shettar creates a dramatic structure formed from the joining of coffee stems, which are coated with metallic automobile paint. Visitors must engage and soothe their senses with some of Shettar’s best creations: Lagoon, Remanence from Last Night’s Dream, and Scent of a Sound.

Ranjani’s inspired creations and dexterity have earned her accolades in prestigious museums worldwide including the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the New York Museum of Modern Art. Her sculptures lend the surrounding environment, a surreal and magical touch.

Ranjani is a young artist from Bangalore in India and she draws inspiration for most of her works from her mother’s home in Coorg and her own penchant for swimming against the tide of conventionalism. She grew up seeing the coffee plant being used decoratively and this fueled her creativity. From her student days at the Chitrakala Parishath, Ranjani Shettar wanted to create sculptures that could be suspended and even float in the air. With her first exhibition in Mumbai, she has been able to achieve that and much more.

Ranjani’s works have charmed collectors and art critics all over the world. If you happen to be in Mumbai then do stop by at the museum and enthrall your senses with her fine creations.

Image Courtesy : Talwargallery.com

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Vibrant art is always just around every corner in New York City. Internationally known as one of the leading cities in arts and cultures, New York City is one of the best destinations to visit museums. There are dozens of world renowned museums across the city, as well as smaller, quirkier spots.

Art lovers can experience anything from historical art from the middle ages to contemporary pieces of work, all without leaving Manhattan. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, known as the MET,  is New York City’s crown jewel when it comes to museums. Located just steps away from the famed Central Park in the Upper East Side, the MET showcases millions of pieces of art from periods throughout history.

It is often regarded as one of the most important museums in the world. It opened to the public in 1872 and has been a favorite ever since. The museum holds masterpieces from across the world, including from Africa, Asia, and Europe. The MET’s permanent exhibit of Egyptian art and artifacts is an extensive collection, and is a highlight of the museum.

Along with its permanent collection, the museum also has temporary exhibits. Current highlights include the 9/11 Peace Story Quilt. The quilt, created by New York City students, portrays a message of world peace and an overall understanding of different cultures. On the west side of the city and on the other side of Central Park is the American Museum of Natural History.

With over 4 million visitors to the museum annually, it is regarded as one of the main attractions throughout New York City. The museum houses over 30 million specimens. The American Museum of Natural History showcases anthropology exhibits from across the globe and highlights the progress of natural history over time.

One of the most popular exhibits in the museum is the Fossil Halls where people can see massive fossils from dinosaurs, such at a triceratops and tyrannosaurus rex. The museum is also the home to the Hayden Planetarium and Rose Center for Earth and Space. The Hayden Planetarium is a great place in New York City to learn about space and astrophysical data.

Nothing is more characteristically unique about New York City than riding the subway. The New York Transit Museum is designed specifically to highlight the history of the subway system. The museum has an exhibit called “Fare Collection,” which shows the different types of money collection the subway has implemented during its history.

Another permanent collection includes a look through the way the subway cars and busses have changed over time. With many of the subway stations currently designed by artists, the museum now has a temporary exhibit that depicts the artwork of the subways from the past 25 years.

New York City has a large Jewish population, as waves of immigrants have settled throughout the five boroughs. Located in the Upper East Side of Manhattan is the Jewish Museum. This museum brings the culture and art of the Jewish heritage to the public through ongoing exhibits.

“Culture and Continuity: The Jewish Journey” is a permanent exhibit at the museum that houses religious objects and art that details the Jewish faith. Jewish artists are also represented in the museum, including Sharone Lifschitz and Ezra Jack Keats.

Experiencing the art in any of these New York City museums is just an example of the wide variety of culture there is in the city. There are dozens of museums to choose from. With such large collections of history and creativity, New York City is a great place to learn about and get lost in art.

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