Dell Art House, Mike Ming

As an antithesis to my previous post & actually as an antithesis to my entire blog so far, I just want to share this completely kickass looking set of laptops (!!!!???!!) Yes I said laptops. Its ok, once in a while I can post about things connected to technology, but I will tread on safe ground and only show pictures. No gyaan will accompany it :) Presenting the Dell Art House- special edition laptops.

Sunburst
Red Swirl
Seaweed Sea Sky

Bunch O Surfers

So for all of you who felt there was no 'colour' and 'design' in the laptop world, look no further. Mike Ming says this is "as close to a tatoo any computer can get" :) And this is the much accomplished mans site.

Dar Khalifa, A Caliph's house in Casablanca

There is mystery and magic in the way what you want to comes to you. Or in the way you go to it. The internet works like that, this blog works like that. I wouldn't have seen known of this beautiful residence or the brilliant tale of its resurrection had not Saji, one of my readers mentioned it in the passing, to quote him "Did you come across photos of a house called "Dar Khalifa" in Casablanca ?", this intrigued me and I had not seen the pictures of any Caliphs home. I googled it to see this splendour.


Check the flooring out
And in the process happened to read about Dar Khalifa, and how Tahir Shah a travel writer (among other things) turned a dream into reality and turned the reality of a centuries old former estate on the border of a slum in Casablanca into his dream home. This journey turned out to be so interesting that it resulted in not just a home but also a book of the name "The Caliphs House: A year in Casablanca"

Arched and
Interesting doorways

show us
Beautiful perspectives
of a colourful mosaic of Moroccan culture
dining room
sitting room
hallway
master bedroom

guest room But what I loved the most is the childrens bedroom, this is the stuff of dreams...

This is Tahir in his library
And among the other gems I found today is Tahir Shahs blog. Highly recommended.

Arabic Calligraphy

I've long been a fan of Arabic Calligraphy & it is my dear wish to own a piece of it in any form one day. Typography and its use in all aspects of living, be it decor or furnishing or wall surfaces is hugely fascinating to me. And Islam is of a similar opinion ;) which is probably they have calligraphy everywhere. On a more serious note, "Writing is given pride of place on all kinds of objects--objects of everyday use as well as entire wall surface, mosque furniture, the interiors and exteriors of mosques, tombs, and al-Ka'ba, the most famous sanctuary of Islam."

This is poetry, I have no clue what it says, but look at the sweeping and lyrical strokes.

Calligraphy is an integral part of Moghul & Islamic architecture

Please click on the visual to see more of the detailing

There are 5 classical cursive scripts- Deewani, Kufi, Farsi, Req'aa, Naskh & Thuluth.Poetry on stone.
And talking about poetry, its rare to find people who write Urdu poetry in urban gen next India. My friend Gunjan Pai is one such rarity :) Those interested can read her soulful verse on her blog 'Shukraana'

Indian Street art

Though this post is about Indian street art, it will feature pictures of only one very talented photographer/designer. Meena Kadri has to have the best photostream on Indian street art on flickr, so I didn't even bother to look elsewhere. This post should have come up yesterday, but I had to write to her asking permission to feature her work. Each frame is a piece of art. She has photographed art in her inimitable style, so its a double whammy. Art on art. Enjoy :)

Beautiful examples of graphic art on regular doors. The sensibility is completely local.

Indo- Parisian concepts of beauty :)

The lettering here means "One bitter Truth"Completely functional messages become interesting

A profusion of messages and bold colours- India style. We have much to say and be and not enough space :)

And here are examples of traditional grace and culture in local art

Our favourite blue god, Krishna :)

Down South very detailed portraits are the order of the day.

In Meena's words, "Part of a painted sign by Johnny-Painter of Mirzapur. I had half the people in the bazaar gathered round as I requested a chair to stand on while I shot this one!"