this is weeny » Inspiration

City Pockets

Sheena — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:08:20 +0000

Sunless days, making me wonder what I actually like about Bombay. Maybe these pockets of delight. Mostly Colaba, but some Bandra and elsewhere.

Le Mill is an expansive, expensive concept store in the middle of nowhere. But it’s beautiful and thoughtfully accessorised (I love the crows, the pencils, the candles and the lighting), has very sleek branding and is worth one visit.

Pretty embroidered linen and doilies shop on Colaba Causeway.

Gaiety Galaxy. At Rs.75 a ticket, it’s the best multiplex for a movie marathon.

Bungalow 8 is in one of the most gorgeous buildings in the city and is a beautifully curated interiors and fashion store. I love the menswear and vintage on the third floor and the deliberate holes in the wall on the furnishings floor.

Also 15 of my pictures of Chor Bazaar were published in Wallpaper* in one of the Reborn in India issue’s guest editor blogs.

Bandra Girl

Sheena — Thu, 26 May 2011 20:08:27 +0000

Oh my goodness. I’m in love with Bandra Girl.

Queen of the Jungle

Sheena — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:36:28 +0000

How did nobody inform me that Sheena: Queen of the Jungle had such bomb ass cover art? All my life I’ve been rolling my eyes when people called me that and now I’m wondering what the hell was wrong with me. Look at her fierce outfits. Jungle chicness gleuteus maximus.

Yacht Club

Sheena — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 11:34:59 +0000

Spent last weekend with these two beautiful, hilarious boys at the Yacht Club, a strong contender for one of my favourite buildings in Bombay, the others being Buckley Court, Birla House and Sarkar Heritage. The winding wooden staircase, the inner workings of the elevator, the great tiles, the claw foot bathtubs, the high ceilings, the cane furniture in the ball room, the cloakrooms. We explored every nook, took a hundred pictures, went undercover, smuggled beer and wine, smoked, practised a new language, whirled around, we visited art galleries, took a taxi across town to drink Long Island iced teas in shutting clubs, invented new words, laughed ourselves stupid, Photo Booth-ed, sang songs, drank masala chai and ate the best goddamn club sandwiches ever. I already miss you copious amounts Aamir and Akshat.

Vandre

Sheena — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 20:51:43 +0000

I love you, Bandra. I love your Portuguese influence, I love your villages and your Goan grannies who get their skirt suits “stitched” and your tiny stalls set up in verandahs selling homemade pickle and potato chops, I love your promenades and pink sunsets and shwarmas, I love your games nights and communal youtubing and burrito bars and theme parties.

I love your farmers markets, and your supper clubs and Sunday brunches and rooftop dancing. (I don’t like your rickshaw strikes and when they say they won’t go some place) I love that Janata and Jimme’s Kitchen deliver. I love your lively backdrops to impromptu photo shoots. I love your bookshops in garages and artist studios and production offices and chocolate shops and Manju dosa and Bombay sandwiches guy on Hill Road and Saroj sev puri.

I love your things to do on Mondays and Thursdays and other days. (I don’t like when your venues shut before I’m ready to stop moving) I love your street stalls and junk jewels and best fifty rupee finds. I love photos from your skywalks and the shops who sold me furniture underneath. I love your host of interesting characters, your beautiful women and sometimes men and my wonderful, wonderful friends.

Bandra, I’m in love.

Sita Sings The Blues

Sheena — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 12:28:10 +0000

Hibernated with my favourite person and watched this feature film yesterday. Sita Sings the Blues is an animated retelling of the Ramayana by the extra-talented-and-I-am-now-in-awe-of Nina Paley who wrote, directed, produced and animated it. Narration of the Ramayana, punctuated with irreverent shadow puppet commentary and scenes from the director’s own life, with perfectly sychronised musical interludes with 1920s jazz musician Annette Hanshaw’s songs. The animations are beautifully rendered and alternate between different styles. It’s a brilliant film, a delightful interpretation of this ancient epic.

Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2011

Sheena — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 21:31:33 +0000

The nine day Kala Ghoda Arts Festival in Bombay just ended and it was a treat. Jampacked with art and activities, the historic arts precinct Kala Ghoda really puts on a show. Rampart Row is pedestrian only, decorated with flags and festoons, providing stage and street for live performances, hair installations, live painting to fire dancing and drum circles, photography exhibitions, as well as NGO, food, handicraft and independent designer stalls. Everywhere in the surrounds is a gallery space; the classrooms host workshops; the halls hold screenings; the gardens, book readings, panels and poetry slams.

I think however, to fully enjoy the festival, you have to become a part of it. I was dressed as an eggplant one day, a strawberry another, I took photos most nights for the Art Loft who organised the doll parades and a bevy of other performances daily. I painted faces. I attended a fantastic weekend workshop on freelance journalism, and a panel once on food and literature. I only wish I hadn’t missed the heritage walks! I am completely smitten with the Fort-Colaba-Churchgate triangle. I feel like I’m cheating on Bandra with South Bombay.

Rad, rad festival. This city needs it. Counting down to 2012′s.

Things We Forget

Sheena — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 20:46:40 +0000

I’m not one for talking or hearing bumper sticker, but it seems I love post-it notes left to their fate in public places. Shaheen linked me to this ace blog Things We Forget by this anonymous Singaporean blogger and street artist and I’ve spent a good part of the last hour wisening up. ‘JJ’ draws and leaves this notes all over the tiny island and elsewhere for fortuitous people to find. So wonderful.

Pashin for Fashin

Sheena — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 19:09:39 +0000

Love that two of my favourite labels Missoni and Prada have such fun, spirited campaign videos for their festive new season collections. No vacant stares and insipid poses to be found anywhere.

Thanks Alex and Sophie.

More Art on Walls

Sheena — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 23:39:34 +0000

Pondicherry

This is such an interesting piece, and the detail gets lost in the smaller image so click to enlarge. Love the style and love that the artists painted the tree for continuity.

Melbourne

Truer things have never been said while eating soup on Degraves St.

Siem Reap

Photos being pasted on city walls as part of BlowUp Angkor, this past November.

Mumbai

One of my favourite pieces down the road that’s just been painted over. Ah well, such is the ephemeral nature of street art.

Interestingly enough, the burgeoning graffiti movement in Bombay began in my apartment building when the Wall Project founder Dhanya Pilo was a tenant. It has grown to include many public and private walls all over the city and it’s very inspiring to see and be a part of. Think I’ll post more pictures from my neighbourhood soon.