An exhibition curated by Kaiwan Mehta
Produced by Goethe Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan Mumbai and Architecture Foundation
Gallery MMB Mumbai
27 October – 31 December 2021
How does one understand what is the practice of architecture? What makes practices within a generation similar and yet how does a significant practice establish its own routes of work and ideas? Rahul Mehrotra set up his architecture studio in the 1990s one of the most tumultuous decades in India and Mumbai’s history… as a researcher, critic, and academic he has written as much as his studio has built… what does his practice signify, and more importantly what does his practice tell us about our contemporary history? We discuss the idea of architecture practice in contemporary India, while we think along with buildings that 30 years of RMA Architects have designed and built, with a special focus on six recent projects.
Rahul Mehrotra and RMA Architects were awarded a special mention at the 2018 Venice Biennale “for three projects that address issues of intimacy and empathy, gently diffusing social boundaries and hierarchies”. The international jury was composed of Sofía von Ellrichshausen, Frank Barkow, Kate Goodwin, Patricia Patkau and Pier Paolo Tamburelli.
RMA Research contributed a research project with text and an installation for this exhibition on the architectural issues surrounding food. Presented by the MAXXI museum in Rome, the exhibition is curated by Pippo Ciorra together with Giulia Ferracci, Alessio Rosati and Alessandra Spagnoli. RMA’s research project is titled, ‘The Dabbawallas of Mumbai’.
From the museum:
“Over 50 works by different artists and architects, in a presentation that ranges from the dimension of the human body to that of the planet, from the kitchen to the home, from the city to the region and the world, tackle the global political, social, urban and economic effects that the production, distribution, consumption and disposal of food have on communities and territories.”
RMA Architects awarded the ‘gran premio internacional’ (international grand prix):
“The thinking and practice of the architect Rahul Mehrotra shapes the stage within an extraordinary political, geographical and socially complex environment, to introduce us to the fascinating spiritual labyrinth of the current urban age. It is primarily for this reason that the Bienal de Arquitectura de Buenos Aires recognizes his work and confers on him the international grand prix, as the rational definition of his work is elucidated through its subtle and poetical human perception.”
The award is presented by the Architect Carlos Sallaberry – Director of the Biennale and the Architect, Roberto Converti – member of the Management Committee.
Bienal Internacional de Arqutectura de Buenos Aires
Mumbai, India
An installation on interpretations of the Kala Ghoda Art District at Chemould Art Gallery in Mumbai. Installation designed in collaboration with artist Atul Dodiya.