The Designera: India's first and only Pop-art Gallery by Amrita Deora in Mumbai

If you love art or are vaguely familiar with any version of it, this might be just the space for you. Local Samosa recently visited The Designera, India's first pop-art gallery, to explore its unique and immersive space. As the country’s only gallery dedicated to pop art, The Designera combines vibrant art with advanced technology, offering a fresh and interactive experience for art enthusiasts.

What is The Designera?

The Designera, India's first and only pop-art gallery, is redefining the future of art. Spanning over 3,000 square feet, The Designera offers more than just a gallery; it provides an immersive experience that combines pop-art with cutting-edge technological innovations. Their collection includes augmented reality pieces and AI-assisted creations that push beyond traditional boundaries, delivering a unique and interactive experience for visitors. Central to their mission is the support of emerging artists. Unlike conventional galleries, The Designera owns every piece it displays, offering artists immediate financial empowerment.

Currently, they support a community of over 150 talented emerging artists and showcase more than 700 unique artworks. Their commitment remains strong in transforming the gallery experience and shaping the future of art. They also have a live art piece wherein artist Vijay Shinde creates a piece right in front of your eyes every day.

One of a Kind

The Designera is India's first pop-art gallery, featuring a lively and dynamic celebration of contemporary pop art. The pieces reel you in with novel approaches to art, from Augmented Reality to AI art. It’s the kind of space you can spend hours at and at the end, you would still find something new to take in.

At first glance, The Designera is full of bold colours and playful pop-art themes. We saw that it creates a striking and cohesive display. The gallery features interactive augmented reality (AR) art and lenticular pieces that catch the eye. These pieces add depth and movement. The space uses unique materials like chrome, fibre, resin sculptures and innovative heat-bent acrylic wall art. The lively and colourful environment invites visitors to dive into the dynamic world of pop art and enjoy a captivating experience.

Local Samosa also talked to the owner, 25-year-old artist Amrita Deora about The Designera, Artists’ collectives, AR and AI art and the future of Indian artists.

The Birth of The Designera

Amrita’s journey into the art world began with years of travelling around the world, visiting some of the most beautiful modern and pop art galleries and museums. These travels shaped her aesthetic and formed the vision for The Designera. She explained, "However, the true Eureka moment came when I visited the Durga Puja in Calcutta. I was blown away by the sheer talent in India and felt there was a mismatch of talent and platform. I wanted to bring together this untapped Indian talent and the uncharted path of pop-art, leading to the founding of The Designera."

Augmented Reality Pieces and AI-assisted creations

AI art is where artificial intelligence creates artwork using algorithms and data from existing images. It is being discussed how AI tools like neural networks can generate art, raising questions about creativity and originality in the digital age. Experts are considering AI's potential to democratise art creation while addressing concerns about its impact on traditional artists and the art industry.

Augmented reality (AR) is creating new opportunities in the art world by integrating digital elements with the physical environment. AR can enhance art experiences, making them more interactive and immersive. By transforming traditional art forms, AR offers artists innovative ways to engage audiences and expand their creative expression.

Amrita elaborates, “We wanted to ensure that we’re at the forefront of innovation and technology with our pieces. When we were brainstorming on how to add a technology layer to our artwork, an AR integration seemed like a novel idea. We wanted to watch a static art piece come to life. Of course, the actual implementation and smooth running of the technology was another challenge, but we were excited by the ‘wow’ factor that we thought this would bring - and it did just that.”

The Process of Creating Augmented Reality Pieces

Creating augmented reality pieces involves a multidisciplinary approach. “The Artist works closely with tech experts to integrate AR into their art. They start with the traditional artistic process, creating the physical piece, and then overlay the digital AR elements. This often involves 3D modelling, animation, and coding to ensure a seamless and engaging experience for the viewer. The goal is to enhance the viewer's interaction with the art, making it more immersive and dynamic,” explains Amrita.

How Artists Incorporate AI into Art

Artificial intelligence has changed the speed at which we can visualise pieces. A simple concept that exists in our mind can be turned into a prompt, and there will be a visual of a completely original idea within seconds. 

“This has transformed the way our artists are able to create, and we wanted to embrace this process, rather than shy away from it. Incorporating AI involves using algorithms and machine learning to generate new ideas, enhance existing ones, and even predict trends in art, allowing for a more innovative and experimental approach,” shares Amrita.

The Designera vs Traditional Galleries

An institution dedicated to the display of art can be called an art museum or an art gallery, and the two terms may be used interchangeably. As opposed to digital art, traditional art is made using more physical conventional media such as pencils, charcoal, oil paints, clay, and such.

Amrita said, “The Designera stands out because we are the only gallery that buys and owns every single art piece we represent. This provides artists with financial freedom right off the bat without the pressure of the piece getting sold. Additionally, our focus on pop art as a serious medium and our efforts in promoting and supporting emerging Indian artists make us unique in the art community.”

The Importance of Artists’ Collectives and Societies

A large source of artist inspiration is the exchange of creative energies. “To create a space and a community where artists can collaborate and build off each other’s infectious energy is invaluable to the creative process. At The Designera, we foster this by organising regular meetups, workshops, and collaborative projects. This not only helps in the personal growth of the artists but also enriches the art we present," Amrita shared. Being part of such a community provides artists with support, feedback, and opportunities that they might not find on their own.

The Current Art Space and Artists in India

The likes of Bhakti Kher, Shilpa Gupta and Sahej Rahal are already creating waves in the industry. And Indian art and artists have come a long way.

Amrita remarked, “My travels and experiences, especially seeing the talent at the Durga Puja in Kolkata, made me realise the vast untapped potential in Indian artists. The current art space in India is brimming with talent that needs the right platform and support to reach its full potential. There is a growing acceptance and appreciation for modern and pop art, and I believe Indian artists are on the brink of making a significant impact on the global stage.”

Future of Emerging Artists in India

“The future for emerging artists in India is bright. At The Designera, our mission is to support and promote these artists, providing them with financial freedom and a platform to showcase their talent. With initiatives like Designera Privée, we aim to bring the world’s best international pop artists to India and vice versa, creating a dynamic and vibrant art community that benefits emerging artists immensely,” she concluded.