Art Soir¨¦e 2025: Where marble tells a story of heritage and innovation
Art Soir¨¦e 2025 was not just an exhibition, it was a revolution in stone. Stonex India turned raw marble into a playground for sculptors who redefined craftsmanship with their masterpieces. Featuring 10 Indian artists, a surreal maze of sculptures, and even curated cuisine, this was art meeting heritage like never before.
Stonex India turned stone into storytelling at Art Soir¨¦e 2025, proving that marbles are not just meant for countertops! This four-day extravaganza was not just an art exhibition; it was an immersive experience where heritage met contemporary creativity in an awe-inspiring maze of raw marble blocks.
Curated by the acclaimed art critic and curator Girish Shahane, the exhibition brought together master sculptors, design enthusiasts, and creative minds to celebrate the legacy of stonemasonry. For the uninitiated, stonemasonry is the art of chiseling stones into intricate designs, blending tradition, innovation, and an insane amount of patience.
Credit: Stonex
A walk through the marble maze
Imagine stepping into a labyrinth of towering marble blocks, each shadowed by breathtaking sculptures that defy the rigid nature of stone. Leading the journey was Shanthamani Muddaiah¡¯s ¡®Bloom¡¯, a sculpture that looked like twisted cloth but on closer inspection, revealed itself as a delicate shrub, paying homage to Karnataka¡¯s silk weaving traditions. Crafted from pristine Macedonian marble, it was a seamless blend of tradition and modernity.
Credit: Stonex
Then came Harsha Durugadda¡¯s ¡®Way Of Winds¡¯, a textured masterpiece that captured the essence of wind and water eroding rock formations. A love letter to abstract art, this sculpture truly made visitors pause and ponder.
Credit: Stonex
Further down the maze, Harmeet Ratan¡¯s ¡®Tower¡¯ stood tall, using Greek marble to symbolize middle-class aspirations of homeownership. A fusion of three sculpting techniques, the piece embodied the dreams and material desires that define urban existence.
Credit: Stonex
When stone speaks, we listen
Among the standout pieces was ¡®The Monarch¡¯ by Magesh R, a regal horse sculpted from grey Grigio Bronze Armani marble. Power and restraint played tug-of-war in this sculpture, depicting the strength of the horse while the bridle symbolized oppression and control.
Credit: Stonex
Gigi Scaria¡¯s ¡®Impossible Staircase¡¯ left visitors in awe. Carved from Cappadocian marble, this stairway appeared to lead to the heavens¡ªuntil you realized it was impossible to climb, making a cheeky statement about mankind¡¯s relentless pursuit of unattainable goals.
Credit: Stonex
A celebration beyond art
Complementing the stunning exhibits was an exquisite culinary experience featuring global flavors that mirrored the sculptures' aesthetic themes.
Stonex Group Chairman Gaurav Aggarwal expressed, "the Art Soir¨¦e was a celebration of this philosophy, bringing together some of the finest creative minds to push the boundaries of artistic expression. Seeing these artists reimagine stone in such unexpected ways reaffirms our commitment to preserving and evolving this craft."
Art Soir¨¦e 2025 was not just an exhibition; it was a bold, dramatic, and utterly unforgettable fusion of art, culture, and imagination, because who knew stones could be this sassy?
Meet Sukhman, a wanderer in her late twenties with a passion for storytelling, filmmaking, and art. When not traveling, you can find her curled up with a good book or behind the lens of a camera.