'Stories in Stone' Captures Colonial Architecture in India
Rahul Kalvapalle — May 15, 2014 — Art & Design
'Stories in Stone' is a photo series that captures the crumbling colonial architecture that dots the eastern Indian city of Kolkata (formerly 'Calcutta'). The series is the work of photographer Prabir Purkayastha.
From a distance, the buildings in Purkayastha's photos appear rather grand and imposing. Upon closer inspection -- through Purkayastha's sharp lens -- it becomes apparent that these once-grand buildings are beset by deterioration, with facades crumbling and overrun by overgrown roots and interiors gathering dust.
The series aims to document the city's remaining colonial architecture, a reminder of its colonial past as well as the diversity and thriving sub-communities it was once known for.
Stories in Stone is on display at the Sundaram Tagore Gallery in New York for the duration of the month of May.
From a distance, the buildings in Purkayastha's photos appear rather grand and imposing. Upon closer inspection -- through Purkayastha's sharp lens -- it becomes apparent that these once-grand buildings are beset by deterioration, with facades crumbling and overrun by overgrown roots and interiors gathering dust.
The series aims to document the city's remaining colonial architecture, a reminder of its colonial past as well as the diversity and thriving sub-communities it was once known for.
Stories in Stone is on display at the Sundaram Tagore Gallery in New York for the duration of the month of May.
Trend Themes
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Crumbling Colonial Architecture — Opportunity for innovative restoration techniques and preservation methods for historical buildings.
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Photography as Documentation — Potential to use photography as a tool to document and raise awareness about the decay of historical structures.
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Colonial Heritage Preservation — Growing interest in preserving and celebrating colonial heritage, creating opportunities for cultural tourism and heritage-based businesses.
Industry Implications
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Architecture and Construction — Opportunity for architectural firms to pioneer innovative restoration techniques for crumbling colonial buildings.
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Photography and Visual Arts — Increasing demand for photographers and artists to capture and document decaying colonial architecture.
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Tourism and Cultural Heritage — Rising interest in colonial heritage presents opportunities for tourism agencies, heritage hotels, and cultural preservation organizations.
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