An Overview of Proposed Public Space

A group of artist met on 24th March, 11 am at the 'Open Circle Studio', Om Society, Mhada, off Film City Rd, Goregaon (E). This was our second meet after Philip Horst elaborated upon the Artistic Interventions in Urban Public Space in Berlin and Western Europe, at the 'Goethe Hall', Max Muller Bhavan, Mumbai on 20th March, 6.30 pm.

24th March, 11 am - After going around in circles to locate the Studio, I finally gave up and called Sharmila for directions. She replied with an sms that read like this.

Western Express Highway take right. On the filmcity Road, 1st left, Cross Fire Station, Playground, go straight. Cross Ganesh Mandir. Opposite the Reliance office. A Mahada house with red wall. 80/582 Om Society.

With such precise directions, even an ant from Madagascar would be able to locate the studio.

After a short round of introducing our work and exchanging notes, we all set out individually to document our first impressions of the public space around the area.

An area map of Goregoan East (Pin Code 400 063) was handed out, to help us navigate around.

Detailed view of the proposed area.

An Overview of Proposed Public Space

As I stepped out of the studio, into the scorching sun, I noticed the newly constructed 'Nullah' some feet away. Out of curiosity, I checked its flowing contents, to only expect the usual trash, contaminated water and all things dirty and clogged. I followed this serpent-like-nullah by the road, which passed through houses and grocery shops to finally connect to an open space.

One of the nullah’s branches cuts through a children’s playground and a government-owned redundant land.

Following its branches I ended up on the main road where the nullah ran in between the high wall of the local Fire Brigade/Station and a busy road.

The three bridges that connect the government owned redundant land to the road, challenge health & safety regulations.

On the other side road was a Shopping Mall under construction.