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A room with a view- In Jayashree’s Space

For art director Jayashree, the world is one beautiful set of a movie

Published

9 years ago

April 20, 2016

FWDmedia

For art director Jayashree Lakshminarayanan, the world is one beautiful set of a movie

It’s a wordless wonder when a cinema setting brings life to characters, but what could only be more enigmatic is the mindscape of an art director. Sifting through Jayashree’s sketchbooks, you would see the effortless pencil strokes of audacious settings and a world of unremitting colors meticulously painted by her color pencils. A conversation with Jayashree is like being entrenched in a utopian world of beauty.

If you chose to explore the world with her,she’d take you through labyrinth markets like in the wild spirited sets of Charlie, or the rugged landscapes of the explosive sets of Street Smart Jayashree Lakshmi Double Barrel or the morbid haven in Nee-na, to the bubblegum pink exteriors of neo-baroque corridors of the Grand Budapest Hotel in Wes Anderson’s whimsical murder movie. Your portmanteau would be filled with antiquities to ‘glorified junk art and you’ll find yourself welcome in the world of her borderless imagination.

Rendezvous with Art

Charli-art-director_fwdlife As popular as Charlie, the room of his made its mark like the actor himself. Jayashree recently bagged the State award for art direction in the movie. She has weaved into her love of movies and interior designing, her fascination for art beyond just a canvas. Her most vivid recollection is an installation by an artist, Candy Chang from New Orleans, who featured a crumbling house with chalkboard paint and stenciled with a prompt, ‘Before I die’. “In India,

art is always thought of as work on a canvas. So, I love how Mumbai is trying to change this conception and strives to instigate a different mentality for art culture. The annual art show Kala Ghoda is a clear example, highlighting the new concept of interactive art. I discussed this with Martin Prakkatt, director of Charlie, and said for the movie I wanted to create an interactive space.”

Spin the Colour Wheel

Jayashree loves to experiment with colour as much outside the easel, as on it. She is constantly seeking inspiration, and studying the effects of colour on sets from movies. From the tepid tinted walls in the Oscar-winning Room Charli-art-director to the flamboyance of pastels in Grand Budapest Hotel, Jayashree loves films’ frames steeped in realism and colors.. If you chance to snoop around her bookshelf, you would spot titles such as ‘If it’s purple someone’s going to do die’ by Patti Bellantoni. A book that transposes you to a world of color and its impact on our emotions. Jayashree picks an example, “Do you know why Lola’s hair was colored red? It seems red blazes faster than all colours, and she had to be one fast runner in Run Lola Run!” She explains that just like sound is the most crucial thing in horror movies, the characterisation and cinematography is nuanced by the art direction. “I started creating a colour wheel for every particular character – from where they travel, what they do, what all colours they might wear, and not wear, and so on.” In the second half of the movie, the emotions were enhanced by punctuations of vibrant colors in a lot of the scenes to take the suicidal character- played by Aparna Gopinath in Charlie -out of her claustrophic mindset.”

The Real in Reel

Although completely colour coordinated, Jayashree feels that the sets should also look realistic. Her accolade was well-deserved for it went beyond depicting her design skills, but how she was able to invoke a sense of enigma amongst the characters in the film and also the audience. Many times movie sets fail to appeal by looking artificial, and the biggest challenge for films is to evoke a sense of familiarity. Thus, the whole point of setting something decadent is equally challenging as creating something relatable. In many Indian movies, the design team looks into aesthetics at a bigger level and focuses a lot on extravagance, till now the difference between production design and art direction seems hazy according to her view. With a very honest insight, she remarked, “ There are many movies that want to make the sets look beautiful but sometimes depicting realism seems like the biggest challenge. When it comes to realism it seems so uncertain, unlike depicting fantasy. I think the success of art direction lies in making every frame visually and emotionally appealing.”

An Artistic Eye

Another example she quotes is the sets of movie Se7en whose art direction was done by Gary Wesser. She loved how the story was narrated in vignettes that symbolised the seven deadly sins. Each sin had a particular tone and created a sinister appeal (gluttony was her favourite). Even bringing life to something mundane, is the test of an art director’s forte. She brings back her fascination for Michelle Lannon’s art direction in Room which was directed by Lenny Abrahamson and written by Emma Donoghue based on her novel of the same name. “The whole movie revolves around the mother and son locked in a room. When the characters step out of the room, the juxtaposition of the frames depicted freedom, you feel like a gasp of fresh air let out. That is what a great a art director is supposed to do.”

For someone who appreciates the finesse of details, going on a journey with Jayashree would be a delight. She recently opened a design studio in Chennai to share her interpretations in her explorations with art. With Jayashree, you not only get transported in the fascinating world of movies, she also draws your attention to the beauty in the largest set in life, the big, wide beautiful world we live in.

Quickies

A movie that got you colour-psyched?

‘Blue is the warmest Colour’,

directed by Abdellatif

Kechiche.

A place of inspiration.

The alleyways of a flea market;

I am not much of a mall person.

If we had to board on a trip

with you, where would we go?

Markets in Cambodia, Mumbai,

and Ullas Nagar in Ahmedabad

A place you love.

Istanbul; its natural beauty and

the stunning turquoise blue

glass work and the lamps

Words by Atheena Wilson Photographs from Various Sources

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Netflix’s Cleopatra: A Controversial Provocation Egypt Could Do Without

Published

2 years ago

May 21, 2023

Keerthi Thilakan

In the realm of streaming content, Netflix’s Cleopatra has recently grabbed attention, trending on most-watched charts amidst a contrived controversy over the casting of a Black actress in the iconic titular role. Produced by Jada Pinkett-Smith, this installment is the second in her ‘African Queens’ series, which has stirred debates surrounding representation and historical accuracy. However, the current state of Egypt, grappling with numerous challenges, suggests that this provocative series is the last thing the nation needs.

The portrayal of Cleopatra has always been intertwined with fascination and debate, particularly centered around her appearance rather than her race, in historical accounts. The Hollywood industry, historically dominated by white executives, had marginalized Black talent, deeming them unmarketable and unworthy of significant roles. The industry’s limited embrace of Black stories in the past was primarily driven by profit rather than genuine progressivism.

In the case of Netflix’s Queen Cleopatra, the casting of a Black performer in the lead role was destined to ignite controversy, especially among Egyptians increasingly hostile towards Afrocentrism. However, the preceding installment of the ‘African Queens’ series, Njinga, did not generate significant interest or impact, lacking the depth to stimulate intellectual discourse.

Director Tina Gharavi’s previous works, while sincere in their storytelling, did not display visionary filmmaking challenging the conventional Anglophone documentary style. Despite this, Netflix and Pinkett-Smith effectively employed marketing tactics, leveraging the race card to generate buzz around Cleopatra, ultimately leading to its elevated position in the charts.

Disappointingly, Queen Cleopatra fails to offer any fresh insights into the Egyptian icon. The four episodes follow a predictable and formulaic narrative structure, focusing on Cleopatra’s rise and fall without delving into her race. The series, featuring medium close-up interviews with academics predominantly from American and British institutions, coupled with lackluster dramatizations, fails to engage viewers or provide an aesthetically distinct perspective.

The show’s emphasis on Cleopatra’s physical beauty and sensationalized elements aligns with Netflix’s faux-liberal gender and sexual politics, which are often presented simplistically and lacking depth. While the representation of minority groups in film and TV is an important concern, solely focusing on representation can overshadow other vital aspects, such as artistry, film history, and the political use of aesthetics.

Critics and viewers fixated on the racial depiction of Cleopatra, generating substantial media coverage and overlooking the artistic value and storytelling approaches employed in the series. Amidst the heightened racial discourse, the nuances of Egypt’s complex relationship with blackness have been lost. Egypt’s struggle with economic crises, political challenges, and external influences leaves the nation feeling helpless and disheartened.

In its current state of turmoil, Egypt seeks a savior and is grappling with collective defeat, making the Netflix provocation an unwelcome addition. The nation, deprived of agency and self-determination, holds onto its historical heritage, which has been plundered by the West for centuries. In such circumstances, a reframing of their own history, even in the form of a fictional series, elicits a strong reaction from a nation grappling with numerous challenges.

Ultimately, while the casting controversy surrounding Netflix’s Cleopatra has sparked discussions on representation and historical accuracy, Egypt’s broken state and desperate need for stability and self-determination make this provocative series an unnecessary and untimely distraction.

Conversation

Unleashing the Power: Scorpio Lunar Eclipse on May 5th Signals Major Transformation Ahead

Published

2 years ago

May 5, 2023

Keerthi Thilakan

The cosmos are gearing up for a powerful event: the May 5th lunar eclipse in Scorpio. This celestial spectacle promises to be a transformative experience that will shake us to the core. As the full moon aligns with the sun and the Earth casts its shadow, Scorpio’s dark and intense energy will be unleashed, inviting us to confront our deepest fears and desires.

Scorpio, known for its enigmatic nature and passionate intensity, is the zodiac’s most enigmatic and mysterious sign. It’s associated with death, rebirth, and transformation, making this lunar eclipse an auspicious time for letting go of old patterns and embracing a new, more authentic way of being. The Scorpio energy is all about digging deep into the shadows, exploring our subconscious minds, and facing the truth no matter how uncomfortable it may be.

During this lunar eclipse, we can expect intense emotions to surface, bringing to light buried feelings and hidden desires. Scorpio’s energy is not one to shy away from the taboo or the uncomfortable, and neither should we. It’s time to confront the parts of ourselves that we’ve been keeping hidden, and to embrace our true selves.

As we navigate this intense energy, it’s important to remember to practice self-care and self-love. Scorpio’s energy can be overwhelming, so be sure to take breaks and ground yourself when needed. The lunar eclipse is an opportunity for growth and transformation, but it’s up to us to take the necessary steps to harness this energy and make the most of this powerful celestial event.

In conclusion, the May 5th lunar eclipse in Scorpio is a powerful and transformative event that promises to shake us to our core. It’s an opportunity to face our fears, embrace our desires, and transform ourselves from the inside out. So, get ready to unleash your inner Scorpio and embrace the intensity of this celestial event.

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8 Best Podcasts of 2020

Published

4 years ago

November 27, 2020

Abhirami Chandran

To the people who doesn’t know what a podcast is- it’s pretty much like a radio show and is released in a streamable or downloadable format through various sites. You can access to millions of podcasts in many genres from anywhere you have internet access.

Here’s a list of podcasts for you to listen:

The Musafir Stories – India Travel Podcast

The Musafir Stories is a wonderful online podcast that talks about iconic and, in fact, all sorts of travel destinations. The podcast series is hosted by Saif Omar and Faiza Khan who talk to fellow travellers about their various adventures across India.
Available on iTunes, Google podcasts, JioSaavn, and Spotify.

https://themusafirstories.com/

Second Life

This online podcast is hosted by Hillary Kerr from the well-known fashion publication Who What Where and it chronicles the career changes of its many guests. It spotlights successful women who’ve made major career changes.

You can listen to her episodes on Apple podcast, Spotify, and Podbean.

https://www.secondlifepod.com/

In The Dark

In The Dark’s content is about uncovering the world’s most iconic crime cases. In short, it’s an investigative journalism podcast, hosted and narrated by Madeleine Baran.

You can listen to it on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, and Podbean.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/american-public-media/in-the-dark-apm

The Passion People Podcast

The Passion People Podcast is a series of conversations about following a passion and how to manifest it. There are several conversations with experts, entrepreneurs, and icons that inspire the listeners, and the show is hosted by Naga Subramanya.

You can find the podcast on Stitcher, Apple Podcast, and JioSaavn.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/naga-subramanya-b-b/the-passion-people-podcast

GayBCD

GayBCD is an online podcast that seeks to understand what it means to be queer in today’s time. It’s hosted by Sunetro Lahiri and Farhad Karkaria and is created by IVM Podcasts. You can expect to find funny and comforting discussions about coming out and how a sense of humour, wisdom, and parlance play such an important role in understanding yourself better as a person.

This podcast series is easily available on YouTube, Stitcher, JioSaavn, and Apple Podcast.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/indus-vox/gaybcd

Harry Potter at Home

Harry Potter At Home is a new series by the Wizarding World that has famous names from entertainment, music, and sports reading chapters from Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone, and the magic is still alive. They currently have the first two chapters out – the first by Daniel Radcliffe and the second by Noma Dumezweni.

You can listen to the series on Spotify and a video version is available on Wizarding World.

https://open.spotify.com/show/2JUljwaD9fNSeq8Vy3UAUp

Maed in India

Maed in India prides itself on being India’s first indie music podcast and features conversations with, well, independent musicians from India and abroad. From unreleased music to unknown music stories, they have it all. It’s great for discovering new music, too.

You can listen to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, JioSaavn, Podbean, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.

https://maedinindia.fanlink.to/podcast

The Corner Flag

Indian fans of the European and Worldwide football can rejoice in this chat show about sports with comedian Amogh Ranadive. If you like hearing commentary on the latest Premiere league (or other) antics with an Indian twist this might just be the Indian chat show for you.