The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will seek help from artists of the prestigious JJ School of Arts and Russian architectural experts for restoration of Mumbai's Textile Museum. The museum, depicting the grandeur of the city as a textile hub, will be an interface between citizens and artists, wherein artists will take citizens to an "Island in time".
Last week, the civic body signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Russia's St Petersburg- based Hermitage Museum for their expertise. "The Hermitage Museum has been displaying rare collections since 1700s and the way things are displayed is an art. The civic body wants to use their expertise in conservation, architecture, restoration and display skills," said municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta. The MOU includes exchange of ideas and expertise of both countries.
Mehta further said the Russian experts will work closely with artists from the JJ School of Arts and help the civic body make the concept a reality.
Rajiv Mishra, principal of JJ School of Arts and director of the State Directorate of Art said the civic chief has the brilliant idea of making the museum a place where common people could access and relate with the youth. Mishra is also a member of the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC).
"When Mehta first discussed the concept – which has now evolved over the last six months through several meetings, discussions and deliberations – he was clear about one thing, that the museum will not be limited to the elite class. He wants the city youth to use such places to express and display their art," said Mishra, adding that the idea was to rope in young artists from across the state, so that the new generation could express their ideas in this museum.
Artists from faculties such as sculpture, architecture and painting will speak to textile mill workers of yesteryear to find out what they went through after the mills shut down. "We want to paint the right history and we cannot compromise on that part. So there will be extensive research in close coordination with the Russian experts. Also, we want to stay along with the current time. So, the architecture will keep pace with the modern times," said Mishra.
