Art can excite in uncountable ways, and for those who love words alongside, the exhibition “The Art of The Book” might be inspiring in its own unique way. The exhibition basically has on display digital collages and book covers from the German List published by Seagull Books.
The German List is a list of translated German books published by Seagull, in collaboration with the Goethe-Institute.
Sunandini’s designs are contemporary both in medium and execution. She puts together different images that are thematic, and when juxtaposed, relate to the central theme and to each other. Sometimes she places digital sketches over them with motifs that then work with the image to communicate a story. In many of her collages and covers, a piece of text is included as part of the image. At times, the book covers are accompanied by a digital collage that seems to be a more expansive version of the cover.
Sunandini’s designs seem to convey a sense of the surreal, or the dark. One of the collages for instance, features Hitler and a building with people burning inside (among other images), as they piteously wave out for help. The collage next to it simply features Hitler, Airforce planes, trees in the background and text about the Reichstag fire.
In yet another collage, titled “Young Light” by Ralf Rothmann, her imagery includes headless children and a smear of red against the dark background. Meanwhile, the book cover (of the same book) features only two motifs: a sketch of sneakers and watercolour-like images of multi-coloured flowers.
“The idea behind the exhibition is to showcase Sunandini’s design art and celebrate her creativity in these collages. The exhibition is also meant to draw people into reading German literature in its translated form, since many people cannot read in German,” says Maureen Gonsalves, Programme Coordinator at the Goethe Institute/Max Mueller Bhavan.
A range of books from the German list is on display at the exhibition alongside illustrated children’s books by German artist Nadia Budde.
“The Art of the Book” will be on view until December 2 at the Goethe Institute/Max Mueller Bhavan, 716, CMH Road, Indiranagar 1 Stage between 2 p.m. and 6 30 p.m.. For details, contact 25205305.
