Life-size photographs displayed in Delhi's public spaces

Rare photographs of some of India's cinematic icons loom over the walkways and metro stations of Connaught Place, which is at the heart of a pan-India photo festival, aimed at taking art into public spaces.
The 'Fete de la photo' exhibition organised by French Embassy in association with New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) has now arrived in Delhi after being shown in cities like Ahmadabad, Mumbai and Chennai and intends to "flood the public space with art and intensify the interaction with the city."
Life-size photos of cine stars like Amitabh Bacchhan, Tabu Madhuri Dixit and Raj Kapoor among others are featured in an exhibit titled "Film Industry: Then and Now" by photographer Pablo Bartholomew at the Rajiv Chowk Metro station here.

The rooftop of Pallika Parking features a projection of the documentary "When a woman Speaks, Listen!" by Cecile Planti and Gaei Rene.
At the 18th century astronomical observatory of Jantar Mantar, vistors can get a celestial feel with astrophysics photography by Laurent Laveder, Thierry Legault and Ajay Talwar appropiately located amidst the ancient sun dial.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporations (DMRC) and NDMC is also helping in providing and managing spaces to celebrate the Franco Indian collaboration in creative practises to reach out to new audiences focusing on topic like macro photography, a series on Paris, women's issues, cinema in India and fashion photography among others.

Managing director of Delhi Metro Mangu Singh said metro stations were places frequented by crowds daily. "To showcase the art here is the best possible way to bring art closer to the public," he said.

"With the guidance and help of the French embassy, we will be able to present them to the public," NDMC Chairperson Jalaj Srivastava said.
"I look forward to not just CP area which has suddenly become a happening place, but also various parts of the city. There are so many places which have suddenly come alive, all of a sudden Khan Market, subways, Nehru Park etc have grabbed attention. So, it is a beginning of a long chapter for creativity, art and so much of togetherness," he said.

Over 22 photographers including Xavier Zimbardo, Rohit Chawla, Shome Basu and Amit Mehra are displaying over 200 phototographs in the exhibition.