‘Slow is the New Urgent': Art in a mall critiques consumerism, beauty, and digital surveillance
In a world spinning faster than our minds can catch up, we rarely stop to weigh the words that shape it. Capitalism. Climate. Consumerism. Conservation. These aren't just terms anymore — they've become buzzwords we scroll past, headlines we half-read.
Kiran Nadar Museum of Art's 'Slow is the New Urgent' exhibition, set in the overlooked passage between Select Citywalk and South Court Mall in Saket, flips the script on consumer culture and fast living. It invites passersby to pause with the words we throw around and actually reflect.
'This was a liminal space. Completely dead, with very little footfall,' says curator Avik Debdas. 'Mall-goers and people working nearby would usually move between the two malls, but no one really walked through this passage.' That made it the perfect spot for public art. 'The exhibition focuses on public art, engagement, and interventions in shared spaces.'
Featuring 11 contemporary artists from across India, this pop-up transforms a forgotten corridor into a space for critique. It tackles big themes from consumerism, climate change, to technology's impact on our lives, and digital surveillance.
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New Indian Express
31-05-2025
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‘Slow is the New Urgent': Art in a mall critiques consumerism, beauty, and digital surveillance
In a world spinning faster than our minds can catch up, we rarely stop to weigh the words that shape it. Capitalism. Climate. Consumerism. Conservation. These aren't just terms anymore — they've become buzzwords we scroll past, headlines we half-read. Kiran Nadar Museum of Art's 'Slow is the New Urgent' exhibition, set in the overlooked passage between Select Citywalk and South Court Mall in Saket, flips the script on consumer culture and fast living. It invites passersby to pause with the words we throw around and actually reflect. 'This was a liminal space. Completely dead, with very little footfall,' says curator Avik Debdas. 'Mall-goers and people working nearby would usually move between the two malls, but no one really walked through this passage.' That made it the perfect spot for public art. 'The exhibition focuses on public art, engagement, and interventions in shared spaces.' Featuring 11 contemporary artists from across India, this pop-up transforms a forgotten corridor into a space for critique. It tackles big themes from consumerism, climate change, to technology's impact on our lives, and digital surveillance.
Time of India
18-05-2025
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Go! go! caravaggio! see his sacred game
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HT City Delhi Junction: Catch It Live on 14 May 2025
What: Slow Is The New Urgent Where: KNMA Art Passage, Select Citywalk Mall, Saket When: April 1 to December 31 Timing: 11am to 8pm Entry: Free Nearest Metro Station: Malviya Nagar (Yellow Line) What: Derrière le voile / Behind the Veil (French play with English subtitles) Where: ML Bhartia Auditorium, Alliance Française de Delhi, Lodi Estate When: May 14 (6.30pm) & May 15 (3pm) Entry: Free Nearest Metro Station: Jor Bagh (Yellow Line) What: MusicAbility Concert ft Devanga Bidrum Kalita (Piano) & Chanyanit: The Chosen Ones (Chayan, Devanga, Diva, Eshaan & Kevin) Where: The Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road When: May 14 Timing: 7.30pm Entry: Free Nearest Metro Station: JLN Stadium (Violet Line) What: Forever Yours and Other Poems – Prof GJV Prasad, Prof B Mangalam, Prof Swati Pal & Prof Malashri Lal Where: Conference Room II, India International Centre, Lodhi Road When: May 14 Timing: 6pm Entry: Free Nearest Metro Station: Jor Bagh (Yellow Line) What: IIC Double Bill | Classical Guitar Recital by Rhitom Sarkar & Hindustani Vocal Recital by Nalini Joshi Where: CD Deshmukh Auditorium, India International Centre, Lodhi Road When: May 14 Timing: 6pm Entry: Free Nearest Metro Station: Jor Bagh (Yellow Line) What: Gaurav Kapoor Live Where: The Laugh Store, CyberHub, DLF Phase II, Sector 24, Gurugram When: May 14 Timing: 7pm Entry: Nearest Metro Station: Cyber City (Rapid Metro) What: Handloom Saree Festival Where: Handloom Haat, Janpath When: May 9 to 17 Timing: 11am to 8pm Entry: Free Nearest Metro Station: Janpath (Violet Line)
