Alliance Française de Lahore

An inspirational display of jewelry worn by Maharajas of the subcontinent and created by French craftsmen can be seen, as two-week Indian Princess and French Jewelers exhibition will be inaugurated at Alliance Française de Lahore – French Centre on Monday 21st April at 6:00pm. The exhibition will be inaugurated by Mrs. Hina Tayyaba, Principal of Pakistan School of Fashion Design.
The exhibition reflects golden colors of past and classical combination of the Indo-French cultures and crafts.
As inspirational as the sub-continental culture itself; the jewelry created by Cartier, Mauboussin and Van Cleef & Arpels, is ever alluring with ranges from intricate details and patterns to basic modern simplicity on its own.
The wearing of jewelry itself has always been admired, as it is today and intrinsic part of the Indian life. The precious metals and stones represent riches, possessions or even the necessary adjunct of the power and glory, as the great Mughals have epitomized the saying that the glory of a prince is made tangible by their buildings, library and jewels.
One can, therefore, imagine the Indian princes’ passion for jewels and the importance of their relationship with the world of elite jewelers.
Though occasional contacts were made between the Maharajas and European jewelers in nineteenth century, the Indian style is still proving recurrent theme for the French designers of jewels.
Coming from Islamabad, the exhibition will also travel to Faisalabad and Karachi.

Exhibition of Drawings
“Lahori Bachchey”
Thursday 21st February 2008
Alliance Française Gallery

The Alliance Française de Lahore (French Centre- Lahore) is hosting an exhibition of drawings titled “Lahori Bachchey” by Vidha Saumya.

Vidha Saumya graduated from Sir J.J. School of Fine Arts specializing in Painting in 2005. After a year’s break during which she traveled, did freelance assignments and read, she joined Srishti School of Arts, Design and Technology in July 2006 to study Visual Communication Design. The South Asia Foundation Scholarship was a dream come true for her, because it enabled her to come to the city of Lahore. She is currently on an independent study Program at Beaconhouse National University.

She has been in Lahore for 6 months now. Being away from her own country in a new place made her conscious and attentive of what she noticed around her.

What distinguishes the children here from the children elsewhere?

She has tried to maintain the nuances of their identity. This particular age group of children interests her the most because they present themselves oblivious of the correctness of appearance. The naivety pulls you towards the stories that surround tem and engages you into a conversation with them.

This series is a conscious effort to express this place from her point of view demonstrating that these children have been her muse on a daily basis and that the worlds in which they lose themselves and the realities that they are aware of.

The exhibition will be inaugurated by Prof. Salima Hashmi on Thursday 21st February 2008 at 6:00 pm at Alliance Française de Lahore’s Gallery and will continue till 1st March 2008. The entrance for the exhibition is complimentary.