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Saturday, 19 Mar 2011
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GOA’S HEARTBEAT
There is so much one can do with light: Kevan Shaw
Hatantlo sonso soddun divcho koso? -Anonymous
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email us at: goasheartbeat@herald-goa.com
We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own - Ben Sweetland
The International Architectural Lighting Workshop 2011 brought a host of light design experts from around the globe to Goa. One among the activities conducted as part of the workshop was lighting up public spaces in the city of Panjim. Lighting up the Kala Academy pier is Kevan Shaw and team. Herald learns about the man and his work BY NOMRATHA FERNANDES HERALD FEATURES he Kala Academy pier is a favourite spot among the people of the city. The extended walk on the wooden frames right down to the large, rectangular pier is what most look forward to, come late evenings. As dusk takes over, silhouettes begin to appear against the backdrop of the setting sun and nightfall sees these figures gradually glide away. Oh but only if they stayed would they not only witness the wharf under the moonlight but also have before them the beautiful view of Reis Magos and the soothing brush of the night’s breeze. Now they can, amidst a brightly lit up wharf that reflects into the river Mandovi. Kevan Shaw, international light designer, down in Goa should be credited for this feat, along with his team. One part of the on-going International Architectural Lighting Workshop 2011 was to aesthetically light up six public spaces in the capital city. Each space was worked on by a team comprising Goan students along with an international lighting designer as the head. Down in Goa for the workshop, the light designer brought a new possibility of night activity at the pier. His composition of light along the entire pier transformed it from a dark and detached area to one that welcomes you with its radiance. Along the sides of the floor of the wooden stretch were a row of bright lights that opened up to the pier which held an assortment of colourful buckets and mugs upturned over lit bulbs. The starting point of the ramp and pier had poles that were lit from beneath. These poles were wrapped in cotton cloth that was cut out in a decorative pattern. Collectively, the ambience was dreamy and larger-than-life, the air smelled sweeter and the entire area shone in brilliance. What first got you interested in light design? My father was a stained glass artist who spoke extensively of his work and shared plenty of his knowledge. Holidays saw us in France visiting cathedrals with stained glass work and him studying it. The light aspect of this work initially got me interested. This interest took form when I got involved with theatre and band lighting at uni-
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versity …and what happened next? From there I took the position of roadie for a band and worked with them until their vehicle burnt out. They could afford money for either one – me or the vehicle. They chose the vehicle (chuckles). But I did learn a lot about rock n roll lighting. TV and video projects were to follow. In 1989, I set up my own firm, Kevan Shaw Lighting Design in my home town of Edinburgh. My role is that of Design Director. Being quite the alternative profession, tell us the experience of working in this line. Light design itself is a relatively new profession, beginning in the 1960s. To me it is exciting. Every project brings with it new people, new technology, new ideas, all to create a whole new output. The thing with this kind of work is that, once you are in, you don’t really want to leave. It is that engaging, not only for the work it involves but for the effect it has on people. What is the most exciting part of being a part of this profession? Its possibilities. There is so much one can do with light. Outside or inside, small spaces or big, with everything remaining the same, light can change the way we perceive this otherwise familiar space. Also, it takes me places. Projects have taken me to America, Singapore, the Middle East and parts of Europe. ...and what would you say are the challenges? One of the biggest challenges of this profession is lighting control. Lighting control has become complicated over time. If one can constantly manage it and make it understandable to the viewer, then a challenge has been surpassed. Technological trends in light design have to be picked up too, but not so much that they become the most important element.
From Traditional to Sexy – Holi Clothes get Stylish Makeover
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earing old white clothes on Holi is passé. With people becoming increasingly fashion conscious, hot pants, backless blouses and off-shoulder tops in vibrant colours have taken a front seat. “Yes, there has been a drastic change in the people’s perception towards Holi, especially the younger generation. They want to have fun but not at the cost of losing the glamour quotient,” says Delhi-based designer Riddhima Chauhan. “Bollywood plays a major role in inspiring these youngsters to go for the trendy way and what could be a better option than showing the sexy curves in figure-hugging dresses,” she adds. Holi songs in movies like ‘Mohabbatein’, ‘Waqt - Race Against Time’ and ‘Action Replayy’ started this trend where Kim Sharma-Shamita Shetty, Priyanka Chopra and Neha Dhupia respectively brought a revolution in the dress code for Holi. Style divas are constantly spotted in body-hugging short dresses to skin hugging tights and transparent fabrics at Holi parties and adding glamour to the celebration of colours. “Light coloured tunics matched with multi-coloured pajamis or ankle length trousers, with chiffon dupattas, are some of the trends which are in vogue. Not only young girls but also married women are trying to get away from their traditional look; so the demand for saris with halter neck and backless blouses has increased,” informs Delhi-based designer Meera Gupta. Mumbai-based designer Digvijay Singh says: “It is one
festival that youngsters look forward to and they leave no stones unturned to flaunt their best side.” He also felt that people don’t mind showing skin on Holi. “Skin show is something not too many mind on this occasion. No matter what you wear, eventually you will get drenched,” he adds. Raj Kumar from Mathura, a place known for its grand Holi celebrations, states: “Holi is a traditional affair here. Women dress up in Rajasthani ‘lehengacholi’ and contrary to the belief that white is an obvious choice for the day, women prefer colourful clothes. The women who come to play ‘Lath Maar Holi’ from Barsana wear bright and vibrant colours.” And what about the traditional whites? Mumbai-based designer duo Nidhi-Divya Gambhir says: “We prefer going the traditional way but with our own contemporary twist to it. Stick to whites, play around the sheer factors... It’s traditional, fun and yet sexy.” (Courtesy: IANS)
Genetics is ‘Top of the Pops’ in Science Research
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enetics is still the hottest area of scientific research, a decade on from the mapping of the human genome, despite slow progress in translating discoveries into new medical treatments. A survey found seven of the top 13 researchers in 2010 worked in genetics, with Eric Lander of the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT the world’s “hottest” researcher. Lander’s work covered genetic mapping and human disease, including lung cancer. The annual survey looks at research across different scientific disciplines and uses the Web of Science database to see which papers published in the last two years are cited the most by other scientists. Ten years after the first full sequence of the human genome was published, early expectations of rapid breakthroughs in fighting disease have proved misplaced. But academic interest has not slackened, and scientists remain hopeful that the tsunami of information unlocked by genomics, or the study of genetic sequences, will eventually yield big dividends. One early success, in fact, came just on Wednesday, with US approval for Human Genome Sciences Inc’s lupus drug Benlysta, the first drug derived from genomics to win marketing clearance. It has been a long haul, however. Human Genome’s partner on Benlysta, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, first invested in the US biotech company way back in 1993. Outside the field of genetics, Andre Geim at the University of Manchester made a third consecutive appearance on Science Watch hot list, this time in his capacity as a Nobel Laureate. Geim shared the Nobel physics prize with his colleague Konstantin Novoselov last October for their work on graphene. (Courtesy: Reuters)
Tourism Related Musical Restrictions Tourism is one among the major moneyearners for the Goan population. Its activities, obviously involve musical entertainment, which ironically the government in Goa has strange laws against
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BY CLARON MAZARELLO arties in Goa surely rock, especially when one see a variety of people from different nationalities all grooving to the same music,” says musician Noel da Gama. Here he points out the binding factor in all cases, pure music and dance. After all, as they say, music can break all barriers. However, this is not how the law sees it apparently. After national television coverage, the Hill Top Record Label launch party was mercilessly stopped. The organisers had to refund their money to the disappointed music fans present at the venue last Sunday. However, the ire here need not be directed towards the police who are merely doing their job and following orders. In fact, the police actually deserve our sympathy for being made to do a task that would inevitably get them brickbats from the public, who seem to take things at face value. Quite a percentage of the Goan population is involved in tourism activities. A large ratio of the state’s revenue comes in through this industry. With this as the backdrop, event organisers losing face and, of course, lakhs, due to events being stopped is definitely not the direction in which we want to go. Something needs to be done for this cause. But this means a change in the system, or rather the sound law, to be more specific. This needs
three specific government bodies at the central level to meet and do the needful. Having said that however, by the time this takes place, we would inevitably be met with sheer disappointment when an event that many worked nights on end for, is simply asked to close down. It begins with music and after awhile, “Ladies and gentleman, the police are here and they have asked us to stop the party,” This statement was used by Eskimo in his psy-trance track. It continues much to the amusement of the many revellers who go through this real life effect courtesy this music artist’s perception and our sound restrictions in the state. Sounds a lot like a ‘tiatrist’ taking a dig at Goa’s current affairs, in their ‘cantarams’, doesn’t it? So while ignorance is bliss and being blissful is a way of life these days, what has incidentally been recognised in these times of bliss are the creative inputs of one of India’s finest guitarists – Elvis Lobo who has recently been nominated for the Indian Music Awards. Constituted to recognise music other than Bollywood created by Indian musicians including genres like jazz and rock, things do seem to be looking up for more talented musicians like Elvis in Goa. As for the music scene, it is like a CD skipping at the same spot, till someone takes it out once and for all.