Continuing the celebration of the Festival of Italian Culture in India 2021, the consulate general of Italy in Kolkata in collaboration with the West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) hosted about a week-long exhibition for the people of the City of Joy. Inaugurated and hosted for a brief while at the National Library earlier this year, the photography showcase titled 'From Kolkata to Italy - Of Places in Dialogue’ focused on "places", was exhibited on "wheels" for public viewing from August 24 till September 1, inside the coaches of Kolkata's heritage transport - the tram.
Kolkata-based photographer Rajib De and Italy-based Alessandro Rosani and Rossana Coslovi joined hands for this exhibition curated by Francesca Rosani. The pre-existing black-and-white photographs of various Italian cities captured through the lenses of Alessandro and Rossana, and pre-existing pictures of Kolkata captured in the panoramic format by Rajib were displayed in couples in the diptych format. The pictures hung one above the other connected with a string, suggests an interconnectedness and the idea of a dialogue between them featuring everyday life, landscape, nature, ambience and architecture of both the places.
The whole idea was to use the iconic symbol of Kolkata, the tram, because this is the only city with the tram system. We wanted to turn it into a sort of a moving art gallery.
Gianluca Rubagotti, consul general of Italy in Kolkata
The exhibition showcasing an uncanny connection between Italy and Kolkata through the photographs was displayed inside the tram based on the concept of a moving art gallery. "Given the prevailing situation, in which personal movements are reduced, we thought of bringing art closer to the people, reaching different parts of the city. The whole idea was to use the iconic symbol of Kolkata, the tram, because this is the only city with the tram system. We wanted to turn it into a sort of a moving art gallery. This was the idea that the consulate of Italy developed with the WBTC," said Gianluca Rubagotti, consul general of Italy in Kolkata.
Starting its journey from Esplanade, the tram made a stop for three days each at the tram depot of prominent city locations like Shyambazar, Esplanade and Gariahat. The tram represented an art gallery and was beautifully painted on the outside by college students of the city, an initiative by the WBTC to promote the tram as Kolkata's pride, heritage and nostalgia. "Our managing director Rajanvir Singh Kapur has conceptualised the design of this tram and we executed that design and developed this tram to give it the shape of an art gallery. We wish to approach all art colleges also for their exhibitions to be hosted in this tram. This is our way of promoting the heritage transport system and the nostalgia attached to it. Tram lovers had come to see this exhibition. The pictures of Kolkata and Italy displayed inside, created an atmosphere of nostalgia. We started this concept to give something new to Kolkata. Many people say that tram is a slow-moving transport, but nonetheless, it is a heritage transport continuing for more than 100 years. The tram is Kolkata's pride," said Samiran Dey, deputy chief mechanical engineer, WBTC.
On the day of the inauguration at Esplanade Tram Depot on August 24, Dey presented Rubagotti with an artefact featuring the horse-pulled tram of yesteryears that represents the nostalgia associated with our culture.
As the tram halted at different city spots, people dropped by to check this unique exhibition. "On an average, more than 70 people showed up every day. Esplanade had visitors throughout the day, while Gariahat was busier in the evenings. In Shyambazar a lot of people took advantage of the weekend to stop by and visit the exhibition. This part of the city heritage is really close to the heart of Calcuttans, who immediately spread the news about the initiative and showed up enthusiastically. Also, the response on social media has been good. People took selfies and posted with the hashtag #FromKolkataToItaly. Visitors were welcomed with some Italian cakes and sweets," added Rubagotti.