GET ‘WOW’ ED!

Pune Expat Club and Lexagent, in association with Panchshil, have organized the WOW International Art Show 2014 on Feb 2 at Novotel. From art installations to paintings to photographs, expat artists are offering a lot to art enthusiasts. Shalaka Nalawade spoke to five of them. The proceeds from the sale at the show will go to two NGOS – Ashta No Koi and Bright Star Education Charitable. Sakal Times is the media partner for the event.

MICHAL BERGER DANISZEWSKI
A student from Israel Michal Berger Daniszewski will be displaying her photograph at the art show. Talking about her pictures, she says, ‘I took this picture in Cape Town, South Africa when I was there on a vacation. It was a matter of seconds when I clicked this picture. It shows the love between animal and human, where you see a man kissing a seal, hence I named it ‘Seal of Love’. Michel has been in Pune for the past three years and reveals her love for photography. ‘It’s my passion, I have been talking pictures for the past 12 to 13 years and I feel the camera is a part of me,’ the artiste says.

MATTEO BASSANI
Working in Pune for the past three years, Matteo Bassani from Italy will be displaying his pictures of the Ganga River at the art show. “If you say the river Ganga, I think most people including Indians will associate it with Varanasi Ghats and religious matters such as purification of life or afterlife salvation. Some, particularly those who have visited Varanasi and have seen these “waters” and experienced the smells and the colors would also associate it with pollution. These aspects are commonly associated with Ganga and India in general.” He informs as he talks about his pictures. He believes that the picture reminds him of the rivers he used to go Kayaking on in Europa “There is another India hidden behind pollution, traffic, mess. Colorful and crowded religious places and events, the sound of horns, smell of burning plastic, contaminated rivers and masalas… that is relaxing, incredibly peaceful and pleasant.” He adds.

ELISE KOHLI
Elise Kohli chose to display two of her photographs at the exhibition. A confessed amateur photographer Elise informs that the pictures were taken in Sweden near her summer house that overlooks the ocean. “Both of them have a special place in my heart as they remind me of the place I grew up in. It has a lot of memories attached to it.” She explains. One of the pictures shows a sun setting on the distant horizon while the other has a few birds lazing on the ocean. “We visit our Sweden home every summer and although I only take pictures on vacation, these two pictures were taken when because I that moment, I had a very deep connection with the sight and thought. ‘This will make a good picture.’ I hope people visiting the exhibition will feel the same about it.” She says.

BETH WINSOR
A British national who arrived in Pune in March 2013, Beth Winsor informs that she has been clicking pictures around the city. “When I decided to take part in the art shun. I struggled in choosing pictures, hence I have given two colleges for the exhibition, both of which are made from pictures I took while exploring the city,” Beth informs. A fashion photographer by profession, Beth feels that all expats will be able to see the story behind the pictures. “They will be able to relate to them as these pictures Show aspects of Pune, the textures, the colors, etc. that all of them might have experienced,” she explains.

IWONA WEISS CHOWDHURY
A mother of a two-year-old, Iwona Weiss Chowdhury has always been a portrait photographer in Poland, “I have especially started liking children’s photography after the birth of my son. You can’t make them pose, hence the pictures come out as natural as possible,” she informs. After selecting the two pictures that will be on display at the show. Iwona feels that she closed them how their universal appeal “Chicken have a way of connecting with everyone so I chose these two pictures that will bring joy to anyone who purchases it.” She adds. Calling the camera as an extension of her hand and heart. She says that a good photograph will happen only if the sensitivity of the picture is captured well.