UX largely caters to special interest travel, and does so along-with experts belonging to the particular domain. Most of the destinations are fairly offbeat and UX explores each destination through the filters of various themes like culture, wildlife, photography, nature, spa etc. UX has organized an exhibition on various exotic destinations within India and abroad, through the select works of its photo mentors. While nature and wildlife remain the key focus, the various destinations covered include Ladakh, Bharatpur, Corbett and Chambal within India and Kenya and Sri Lanka amongst the destinations abroad.

The company has also announced a 8 day Kenya Wildlife Photography tour, that is a a dream come true for amateur photography enthusiasts interested in wildlife photography. It combines just the right amount of photography basics with 8 action packed days in one of the world’s best backdrops for wildlife. The tour commences on October 16, 2010. For the tourism enthusiast, there is an 8 day tour of nature wildlife tour for Kenya commencing October 9, 2010. For details, contact Rekha at 9167129128 (rekha@universityofexperience.in

The contest is open to all residents of India and participants will be in two categories ‘Open’ & ‘Student’. Commencing on the 25th of August the contest will run through to the 22nd of September and all entries will close on that day end of business hours at All Mumbai outlets of The Bombay Store (P.M. Road, Fort, Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel, Inorbit, Malad & Vashi)

All artwork/ submissions in both the categories must incorporate the Theme ‘FESTIVALS OF INDIA’ in POP Art Style. The competition will have no restrictions to the kind of art that is presented provided it is in keeping with the theme and provides an adequate interpretation of the same. Forms for the entries are available at all outlets of The Bombay Store.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Asim Dalal, Managing Director The Bombay Store said “At The Bombay Store we are constantly innovating with our range of products and in our ways of reaching out to our clientele. We believe that our clients Discover a New India when they buy our products and what better way to showcase the New India than with the art designs and styles of a contemporary India. Art and craft in India have evolved and there are various interpretations of traditional art forms and techniques.

This is an emotive portrayal of the great unwashed, the multitudes that form the very core of India and yet find mainstream representation only through their extremes. Their un-exotic everyday human banalities receive no attention and go unrecorded. Fabien’s preoccupation with them has led him to a wholly subjective mapping of their daily life. Renouncing all interaction with the real, he abandons himself to an imagined documentation of people who are an intimate part of his daily experience. To him, this study based on the realm of feelings comes closer to reality than any socio-economic or other such factual inquiry could. Not concerned by the negative overtones of the literary phrase, for him the great unwashed becomes a fitting description of the masses as he exalts in the humanity that makes them great.

The Great Unwashed

The first suite revels in the simple, shared beauty of the body of the Indian men. Here, the focus is on the ambiguous sensuality that derives from masses of men living together in a jumble of touch. Fabien sees them as one sinuous entity mirroring the human body; individual cells packed on to each other and sharing everything, be it sweat, sex, ideas or disease. Yet, to him, they remain strikingly individual.

Stumble Asleep

In the second suite, we stumble upon dreams of the great unwashed. Fabien weaves a narration starting with sleepers and unfolding their dream that is in fact a projection of his own distorted visions. These stem from visual memories of India collected over the years, re-told, second-hand reminiscences that have left a deep imprint on him. Just like automatic writing, this is a sub-conscious narrative constructed from those memories.

What you have here is a simple interweaving of different projects such that there arises a dialogue, one that continues to engage Fabien.

About Fabien Charuau

For the last twelve years Fabien Charuau (b 1974) has been based in India, working on photo documentaries, photo journalism and portraits. His work has been seen in Indian and European publications like Wall Street Journal, Elle, Vogue, GQ, Rolls Royce Yearbook and Elle Decor. This project was shown at the Voies Off Festival in France and is now headed for the Pingyao International Festival in China this September. It was also part of a group show in Galerie de L’Instant, Paris earlier this year.

Fabien doesn’t think of himself as a French photographer but rather as an Indian photographer of French origin. India has been home to him for a third of his life and it’s here that he has learnt photography. Most of his subjects have been Indian. His eye is trained to the Indian palette. While he doesn’t claim to be integrated into Indian society, visually he is Indian.

His images conjure a pulsating vitality; as if colours, bodies and events are about to collide into each other. This vital chaos in his work comes from the deep impression that life in India continues to leave on him.

Show Opens on September 01 at 7pm

On view: September 02 to 30, 2010

11am to 7pm (sunday closed)

Matthieu Foss Gallery, Ground Floor, Hansraj Damodar Bldg, Goa Street , Ballard Estate, Mumbai 400 001 W: www.matthieufossgallery.com

from the 6th August 2010 to 15th August, 2010, from 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM.

This year, the key attraction to the festival will be the cultural programs and workshops as well as unusual add-ons, exciting food, craft workshops, puppet show for kids, and lots of music, dance, cultural programs and entertainment.

The Dastkar family includes over 100 craft groups from 19 states of India. – bringing new products and designs in both textile and 3-dimensional craft techniques. Age-old skills given a new contemporary twist.

The festival will have sheer Maheshwaris & Chanderis as well as subtle Tussars of Bhagalpur and Maharashtra. Also available will be block-printed, embroidered and woven textiles from Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. Apart from that the added attraction are Mat weavers from West Bengal, Bodo weaving, black stone pottery from Assam and Manipur. There will also be Natural oils, Organic and Herbal products from Uttranchal.  

Interspersed through the event will be interactive workshops where children and adults can learn different crafts techniques ranging from Doll and Puppet making, Bead Jewellery, Madhubani Painting and Clay Modelling are among various interesting activities.

” Bangalore is a cosmopolitan, multi-cultural city, and deserves the best, ” says Ms Laila Tyabji, Chairperson DASTKAR. “We are bringing a cross section of the finest and most varied craft techniques and products, presented by the craftspeople themselves.” She further added.

Along with embossed and embroidered leather, contemporary metal ware, cane, coir, bamboo & carved wood furniture the Dastkar festival will also showcase home accessories, toys for children, and gift items for all ages. Accessories and embellished garments with tribal and mirror work embroideries from Karnataka, Kutch and Rajasthan as always will be a colourful attraction for fashion-conscious Bangalore.

 The popular Indigo, Kantha and Shibori group from Bangladesh “Living Blue” is also participating, for the first time in Bangalore, showcasing a vibrant and contemporary range of creations by artisans from North-West Bangladesh.

So as not to disappoint those in love with culture and food, the Festival will also have a variety of folk performances,. music & dance. These include the famous Gotipua Dance from Orissa, Lambani Dance from Karnataka, a Food Court serving delicacies from the cuisines of Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Hyderabad along with Dilli ke Paranthe and Kathi’s. Mouth refreshing varieties of Mahesh Suparis and Namkeen of different kinds will add their own special flavour.

New Delhi, Delhi, July 19, 2010 /  The legendary Odissi Guru Mayadhar Raut (Padmashri awardee), who turned 80 this month performs the ashtapadi – ‘Nindati Chandan’ from Jayadeva’s Geet govind on the 23rd of July at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The performance will take place after his biography is released by Mrs. Gursharan Kaur on the same day. This rare performance is a part of the Yaatra festival.

Guru Mayadhar Raut (Padmashri awardee)

Mumbai, Maharashtra, July 9, 2010 / The National Centre for Performing Arts, India’s premier art and culture institution, in collaboration with Lumiere Movies presents The International Comedy Festival a five-day mini-film festival of a selection of classic comedies from around the world at the NCPA. This festival will screen the best comedies from all over the world. The festival aims to create a wider platform for reaching out to a varied spectrum of audiences. This is the first time that the NCPA is organising a Comedy film festival which kicks off from 10th to 14th July , 2010 at Little Theatre, NCPA.

Deepa Gahlot, Head – Programming, Indian Theatre and Film, NCPA, says, “We are planning these mini-festivals of classics, many of them contemporary, so audiences get to see the best of world cinema.” The theme, Gahlot says, was selected “because comedy is always popular; and what better way to lift the monsoon gloom than watching some great comedies. The films offer a wonderful opportunity to see how humour works in different cultures.” Besides, watching these films, the festival will also give audiences the opportunity to access ancillary promotions, guest speakers, trivia sessions and DVD giveaways.

The five-day festival has been designed to draw working audiences and students alike, with five best comedy movies from around the world. The festival includes movies like the romantic comedy Gone with the Woman (Norwegian Film with English Subtitles), The President’s Barber (Korean Film with English subtitles) which is a festival favourite, The Caiman (Italian Film with English Subtitles), Dr. Plonk (English Film) a sci-fi tribute to silent cinema of the 20s, and After You (French Film with English Subtitles).

Comedy Film Festival- Event Schedule:

Gone with the Woman, Norwegian Film with English Subtitles (Col – 82 mins – 2007)

Saturday, 10th – 6.30 pm

A wryly gentle comedy about first love and who wears the pants in a relationship. A young man’s life is suddenly invaded by the beautiful Marianne, who moves into his house out of the blue and turns his life upside-down. Gone with the Woman is about a young man’s exploration of love and women, and his attempt to understand both these forces. Winner of the Discovery Award for Best Film at the 2007 Hollywood Film Festival.

Director: Petter Næss

Cast: Trond Fausa Aurvåg, Marian Saastad Ottesen, Peter Stormare, Henrik Mestad and Louise Monot

The President’s Barber, Korean Film with English Subtitles (Col – 116 mins – 2004)

Sunday, 11th – 6.30 pm

A scathing political satire set in the 1970s, a turbulent period in South Korean history. Despite being ignorant about politics, a barber unwittingly finds himself caught in the midst of a number of historical events. The debut film from director Lim Chan-sang, The President’s Barber won the Audience Award at the 2004 Tokyo International Film Festival.

Director: Chan-sang Lim

Cast: Kang-ho Song, So-ri Moon, Jae-eung Lee and Jo Yeong-jin

The Caiman, Italian Film with English Subtitles (Col – 107 mins – 2006)

Monday, 12th – 6.30 pm

Bruno Bonomo is a B-grade movie producer struggling to raise the funds for his film The Return of Christopher Columbus. Burdened with debts, a floundering marriage and errant kids, his life is a mess. Destiny introduces him to a script called The Caiman, which revolves around Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Bruno’s desire to make this film is the only thing that keeps him afloat as his life falls apart.

Director: Nanni Moretti

Cast: Silvio Orlando, Margherita Buy, Jasmine Trinca, Michele Placido, Elio de capitani and Nanni Moretti

Dr. Plonk, English Film (B&W – 81 mins – 2007)

Tuesday, 13th – 6.30 pm

In 1907 Dr. Plonk accidentally discovers that the world will end in 101 years, and builds a time machine to transport him to the future. However the future is like nothing he had ever imagined. Improbable chase sequences, time travel, speeding trains and misadventures of the silliest kind abound in Rolf de Heer’s a highly enjoyable black-and-white comic caper, a homage to the silent cinema of the 1920′s.

Director: Rolf De Heer

Cast: Nigel Lunghi, Paul Blackwell and Magda Szubanski

After You, French Film with English Subtitles (Col – 104 mins – 2003)

Wednesday, 14th – 6.30 pm

An irresistible comedy about a good deed gone haywire. Antoine saves Louis from committing suicide, but Louis, suffering from a broken heart, doesn’t want to be saved. To make amends, Antoine goes in search of the source of Louis’s heartbreak – the delightful Blanche. But Antoine didn’t plan on falling in love with Blanche, and now he is in more trouble than ever.

Director: Pierre Salvadori

Cast: Daniel Auteuil, José Garcia, Sandrine Kiberlain , Marilyne Canto and Michèle Moretti

Admission on a first-come-first-served basis.

For further information please log on to www.ncpamumbai.com

Award-winning photographer, Aaron Chang has partnered with distinguished artist, Wade Koniakowsky to launch San Diego’s first Ocean Art Gallery. The Grand Opening, taking place from 6-9 p.m. on July 10th, will feature many of the finest pieces produced by each of the owners.

The new gallery will be located in the heart of the Cedros Design District at 415 S. Cedros Ave. Showcased at the event will be a collaboration surfboard crafted by renowned shaper John Carper, hand painted by Wade Koniakowsky, and inlaid with original photographs by Aaron Chang. Autographed commemorative books, Ocean Art merchandise, a raffle drawing and complimentary appetizers will also be available.

Featured throughout the Gallery will be Wade’s selected oil paintings and Aaron’s exotic images collected from a lifetime of traveling. A legendary name in the action sports industry, Aaron has been featured on Fuel TV, PBS and is currently the subject of a documentary on surf photographers.

His work has graced the covers of over 100 magazines and has been featured in the prestigious coffee table book series, A Day in the Life. Though best known for his ocean-inspired photography, Aaron’s powerful images also capture the world of fashion, sports, travel and music.

This adventurous spirit has taken the commercial photographer to over 40 countries and has garnered such high profile clients as Apple, Mercedes-Benz, Levi’s, Macy’s, Nike, Yamaha, Billabong, and ESPN.

Wade Koniakowsky, one of the nation’s leading ocean-inspired artists, began painting at the age of six and started surfing before he was 12. By blending these two passions, he has gained worldwide recognition for his oil paintings of tropical interpretations. Wade’s work is currently displayed internationally as well as in 17 galleries extending from the East Coast to Hawaii.

Many of his signature paintings can be seen in movies, television shows and at such international surf competitions as the Roxy Jam and Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Wade’s designs currently adorn the custom surfboards that decorate Billabong stores nationwide.

At the July 10th Grand Opening, both artists will be on hand to discuss their vision for the Gallery, which they have branded as “the ultimate visual expression of everything you love about the ocean.” They anticipate hosting workshops to inspire young artists and partnering with non-profits that focus on the areas of Ocean Environmentalism, Humanitarian and Education.

Following the Grand Opening, the Ocean Art Gallery will be open to the public Monday through Thursday 10 to 6, Friday and Saturday 10 to 8, and Sunday noon to 5.

www.aaronchang.com
www.koniakowsky.com

Fourth day at Cannes gave reason to celebrate for Indian agencies winning 6 Press Lions comprising 2 Gold, 2 Silver and 2 Bronze. Only a year old agency, Taproot India strikes its first awards at Cannes. It won a Gold and a Silver Lion for its Spiritual Guru, Royal Rajput and Kathakali Dancer campaigns for Transasia Papers’ Conquerors Papers. The unique piece of art work had also won the first International Gold for Taproot India at Clio Awards.

Conqueror Paper celebrated ten years of production in India with “Colours of India” campaign in which Taproot India has used their homeland as an inspiration.Using rolls of magnificently colored paper, they have created mosaic-like images that reflect the colorful Indian culture. The tagline of these Conqueror Paper print ads reads, “Celebrating a decade in the land of a million hues.” Conqueror Paper manufactures special paper that reflects every hue of the rainbow.

Agency’s co-founders Agnello Dias and Santosh Padhi were the creative brain behind this winning campaign while Santosh Padhi has done the art work. Anant Nanvare is the Illustratior and Amol Jadhav is the Photographer of the campaign.

Another Gold Lion winner for India in most prestigious Press category is RMG Gurgaon. Its Funeral, Airport and Poker campaigns for Fujifilm’s F 70 Camera. Below are the campaigns which created strong visual drama around the product benefit and invited the reader to participate in a conversation.

Team at RMG Gurgaon:

Executive Creative Director: Anuja Chauhan/Priti Kapur
Creative Director: Anupama Ramaswamy/Simran Sahni
Copywriter: Simran Sahni
Account Supervisor: Saurabh Saksena/Manish Kapoor/Anubha Mathur
Art Director: Anupama Ramaswamy
Illustrator: Atul Kumar/Pranab Mandol
Photographer:Photolibrary
Other Credits: Prantik Dutta/Production

Besides, Leo Burnett Mumbai won another metal for its Tide Dirt Magnet Campaign. After winning a Bronze in Media, the campaign has won a Silver Lion in Press category.

Also, Bates 141 won a bronze for Virgin Mobile while Mudra DDB added another metal to its tally with a Bronze for Bangalore Traffic Police.

Mark Tutssel, chief creative officer, Leo Burnett was head of the press jury while KV Sridhar, NCD, Leo Burnett India was the jury member representing India at Cannes Lions this year.

Bengaluru, Karnataka, June 23, 2010 / No more standing miles away from the stage to catch a glimpse!! Reliance TimeOut, the books, music, stationery, toys and gifts store of Reliance Retail was proud to present an exciting opportunity to all their customers by inviting their all time favourite Danish Rock band ‘Michael Learns To Rock’ , popularly known as MLTR at the Cunningham Road store today. The band gave a rocking performance at the store, which made the entire crowd sway to the tunes of their latest numbers from their new album ‘Eternity’ followed by their old hit songs.

This talented band not only mesmerized the crowd with their electrifying performance but also interacted with them ‘closely in person’. The excitement doubled up when fans got autographs from the band members and clicked pictures with the legendary band to create a historical moment forever.

That’s not all!! Customers who bought any MLTR music CD/DVD at Reliance TimeOut stores, got it autographed by the band members there. While 5 lucky people were given a special chance for an exclusive photograph with the Band Members.

On the occasion of this prestigious event, Deepinder Kapany, Business Head, Reliance TimeOut said, “It’s a great opprtunity for Reliance TimeOut to host the world-famous band ‘MLTR’ today. We have always provided our customers the most exciting experiences today’s event gives us another opportunity to present one of such exclusive event, which is a curtain raiser of sorts for our much awaited Rock Fest! We are sure that all our music enthusiasts in the city enjoyed the experience to the fullest”

Michael Learns to Rock is a Danish soft rock band that performs songs in English. It was formed in 1988 and has sold over 10 million records worldwide, mainly in Asia. Currently, MLTR is on India tour and visited Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore to perform for their fans apart from promoting their latest album ‘Eternity’. The three member band – Jascha Richter, Kare Wanscher and Lentz – are popular the world over for their songs like The Actor, Sleeping Child, Someday, That’s Why (You Go Away), Paint My Love, Breaking My Heart, Nothing to Lose and You Took My Heart Away among others

The foremost is that Coimbatore has got the much-needed and long-awaited infrastructure boost and this will, in the long-run, be an advantage to the industries and trade here. Further, Coimbatore is now known to a larger audience, including those in foreign countries. This could lead to investment and trade partnerships in the future.

“The impact is very positive in the long-run. The profile of Coimbatore has gone up a few notches with the publicity. This may increase the trade events and visitors attendance for these events in the future,” says K. Ilango, president of the Coimbatore District Small Industries Association.

In the process of making arrangements for the conference, the interaction between the industry and the Government has improved and this will also have long-term benefits, says chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry, Coimbatore, J. Balamurugan.

On the immediate impact, he says that when two lakh to three lakh people come into the city, and even if each one spends about Rs. 500 for their routine needs, the traders, service providers and commercial establishments here will benefit on the conference days.

The new and wider roads, footpaths, painted public walls, spruced up traffic islands, modern traffic police posts and road side gardens are certainly a feast to the eyes. These and other facilities created here for the conference have also brought in employment to hundreds of skilled and unskilled workers during the last few months.

“The direct employment generated so far for the infrastructure work is massive,” points out Jayakumar Ramdass, president of the Southern India Engineering Manufacturers’ Association. And, this includes employment for the skilled persons and artisans for the pandals at the conference venue, paintings and float works.

Material suppliers, transport providers, catering, laundry and security services are some of the direct beneficiaries during the conference days as thousands of people are expected to come for the event. Though there is no direct benefit immediately for the larger industrial sectors here, in the long-term the city benefits with the exposure, he adds.

P. Durairaj, secretary of Coimbatore Cloth Merchants’ Association, says the textile shops will be kept open on the conference days and, “We expect more business as people will visit the nearby temples and tourist places during the non-conference hours and will buy small textile products.”

R. Srinivasan, secretary of Tamil Nadu Hotel Owners’ Association, says that at least 50 per cent of those coming for the conference will come into the city for shopping and food. They need quick service, quality and affordable food. “We are thinking of combo meals and extending some of the breakfast varieties for lunch.” All popular hotels of the city will also have outlets at the conference venue. The bakeries, eateries and restaurants will certainly see more sales on these days, he says.