5/5 Sachin P. 2 years ago on Google
The
gallery
is
called
gufa
("cave"
in
Gujarati)
because
of
its
resemblance
to
a
cave.
It
was
known
earlier
as
Husain-Doshi
ni
Gufa,
after
its
architect,
B.V.
Doshi,
and
the
artist,
M.F.
Husain.
Later
it
was
renamed
after
the
city
of
Ahmedabad,
known
locally
as
Amdavad.
The
structure's
contemporary
architecture
draws
on
ancient
and
natural
themes.
The
domes
are
inspired
by
the
shells
of
tortoises
and
by
soap
bubbles.
The
mosaic
tiles
on
the
roof
are
similar
to
those
found
on
the
roofs
of
the
Jain
temples
at
Girnar,
and
the
mosaic
snake
is
from
Hindu
mythology.
The
Buddhist
caves
of
Ajanta
and
Ellora
inspired
Doshi
to
design
the
interior
with
circles
and
ellipses,
while
Husain's
wall
paintings
are
inspired
by
Paleolithic
cave
art.
The
interior
is
divided
by
tree
trunks
or
columns
similar
to
those
found
at
Stonehenge.
While
visiting
Ahmedabad,
Husain
asked
his
friend
Doshi
to
design
a
permanent
art
gallery
for
the
exhibition
of
his
works.
Together
they
planned
an
underground
structure
capable
of
withstanding
the
area's
severe
summer
heat.
Computer-assisted
planning
facilities
were
used
to
resolve
the
structure's
unorthodox
design.
A
simple
floor
of
wire
mesh
and
mortar
was
used
instead
of
a
traditional
foundation.
All
the
structure's
components
are
self-supporting,
relieving
stress
by
their
ubiquitous
continuity.
Ferrocement,
only
one
inch
thick,
was
used
for
the
undulating
walls
and
domes
in
order
to
reduce
load.The
cave
was
constructed
by
unskilled
tribal
labourers
using
only
hand
tools.
Broken
ceramic
crockery
and
waste
tiles
were
used
to
cover
the
domes'
exterior,
which
bears
a
transversal
mosaic
of
a
snake.
Work
was
carried
out
in
two
phases:
the
first
was
the
construction
of
the
main
cave
as
an
underground
art
gallery,
while
the
second
covered
the
surrounding
structures
including
the
paving,
the
café,
and
a
separate
art
gallery
for
exhibitions.
The
gallery
space
is
below
ground
level.
A
partially
hidden
staircase
leads
to
a
circular
door
which
opens
into
a
cave-like
space.
Though
designed
to
display
paintings,
the
cave
has
no
straight
walls,
instead
using
a
continuation
of
the
curved
dome
structure
which
extends
down
to
the
floor.
The
domes
themselves
are
supported
by
irregularly
shaped
inclined
columns,
similar
to
those
found
in
natural
caves.
They
are
also
said
to
resemble
the
trunks
of
trees.
The
entire
design
is
made
up
of
circles
and
ellipses.Light
arrives
though
snouts,
creating
spots
of
light
on
the
floor
which
move
around
as
the
day
progresses,
intended
to
create
a
mystic
atmosphere.
Structure:-
Ahemdabad
Ni
Gufa
is
an
underground
art
gallery
in
Ahemdabad.
It
exhibits
the
work
of
the
famous
artist
Maqbool
Fida
Hussain.
The
gallery
represents
a
unique
juxtaposition
of
architecture
and
art.
The
cave-like
underground
structure
has
a
roof
made
of
multiple
interconnected
domes,
covered
with
a
mosaic
of
tiles.
Husain
used
the
gallery's
walls
as
a
canvas,
painting
on
them
with
bold
strokes
and
bright
colours.
The
artwork
depicts
human
figures
and
motifs
of
animals,
including
his
famous
horse
figures.
He
also
decorated
features
such
as
doors
and
even
air
conditioners.
The
figures
were
designed
to
resemble
ancient
cave
paintings
in
a
modern
environment.
Husain
also
placed
a
few
metal
sculptures
of
human
figures
between
the
inclining
columns.
His
largest
work,
Sheshnag
(the
divine
serpent),
stretches
over
a
length
of
100
feet
(30
m).
There
is
an
art
exhibition
gallery
space
which
is
available
on
rent
to
artists
to
exhibit
their
artworks.
It
is
one
of
the
most
frequently
visited
art
gallery
in
the
city.
Art
exhibitions
of
artists
from
around
the
country
as
well
as
international
artists
happen
at
the
exhibition
gallery
weekly.
