India Art Fair, 2017 Closing Party at Le Meridien, New Delhi

The coolest thing for me to have spotted at the India Art Fair, 2017 closing party at Le Meridien, New Delhi was how the hotel had taken artist Sankha Samanta’s creation from the Rhythm On Canvas event and displayed it proudly at the entrance to the closing party! Continued support for art and artists is one of those things that make me a fan of any brand. Of course, Le Meridien has been a client of mine for a few years now and I’m naturally biased. But thei continued commitment to promoting art keeps me on my toes when it comes to any photography gigs with them. I’m always trying to capture all of it to represent what the brand’s aiming to do.

At this closing party, for example, they again had artist Sankha Samanta painting 5-6 canvases while the party went on in the background. In keeping with the brand’s #DestinationUnlocked messaging, they had created canvases with things typically associated with each city. There was Chennal, Bangalore, Nagpur, Delhi and Jaipur. These were placed next to food tables that were serving food that is also typically associated with these cities.

As guests arrived at the hotel, they were greeted by laser lights and an animated banner right at the drive-in. Teh bar had been created smack in the middle of the hall, with mirror panels reflecting the lighting. The party was kicked off by the Zindagi Theatre Group’s troupe that stormed in asking everyone to join them at the dance floor. They performed a short piece educating us how it only takes a second to thank the chef who has prepared our food and how that’s a nice habit to cultivate. They did this with a lot of drums and dance and song, after which the DJ got the crowd to stay on the dance floor.

It is always the people who make the party – it was nice to see some familiar faces and strangers too who had decided they were going to dance the night away. A fun and exhausting close to an equally fun and exhausting India Art Fair, 2017! Cannot wait for 2018.