The exhibition, From Kolkata to Italy: Of places in Dialogue, organized by the Italian Consulate, Calcutta (March 26-April 16) held in the magnificent Belvedere House and curated by Francesca Rosani, featured panoramic black-and-white images by Rajib De from Calcutta and Alessandro Rosani and Rossana Coslovi from Italy.
The exhibition was meant to explore links between Calcutta and Italian cities through their architecture. The photographs of Italian cities were gorgeous because, like Delhi, these are modern, yet visibly steeped in ancient history. Calcutta, even in its decrepitude, is an atmospheric city and can boast a wealth of colonial buildings and hybrid architecture constructed by Indian grandees.
Yet, thanks to the curator, little of that was visible in De’s photographs. Save a few like the ones taken from terraces in the Sealdah (picture) and Burrabazar areas, and some in BBD Bag, most were magnificent views of New Town shot from a paddy field. These rows of high-rise buildings of uneven heights are etched out against the horizon like the Stonehenge. No evidence of the built heritage of the City of Palaces.