The Art Deco style, with its characteristic ‘streamlining’, inspired by aerodynamic design and detailed, yet stylistic, geometric ornamentation, reflected an admiration for the machine’s modernity. The non-traditional extravagance of such simplistic and functional forms translated into various luxury goods in the late 1920s through the 40s. This webinar explores this influence of the Art Deco movement on the automobile industry and Mumbai’s urban form — where it symbolised modernity, speed and dynamism — through an engaging conversation with our guests. We also discuss Karfule Service station, one of the only surviving Art Deco petrol pumps in Mumbai, which was a realised aspiration of a migrant family, in an optimistic time of transition into the machine age.
Speakers:
Rachel Lopez – Writer & Editor, Hindustan Times
A Mumbai-based journalist who hosts the weekly column ‘Mumbaiwale’, also known for her personal project that captures the quirky ceiling patterns of Mumbai’s taxis. Rachel anchors this discussion.
Karl Bhote – Vintage automotive enthusiast & chronicler
Karl has an automobile encyclopedia hard-coded in his mind that never ceases to amaze us. Based on his article ‘Driving with Deco’, written for Art Deco Mumbai, Karl presents outstanding examples of Art Deco-inspired automobiles, highlighting their design elements.
Daniel Sequeira – Owner, Karfule Service Station
As the third-generation owner, Daniel talks about his family history and its association with Karfule, his efforts to maintain and restore the structure, and the social engagement it has created as a unique public space.
Atul Kumar – Founder Trustee, Art Deco Mumbai Trust
Atul shares highlights of shapes and forms that are reflected in Mumbai’s Art Deco buildings, drawing parallels between the built form and automobile design, and showing how speed and streamlining are reflected in both.
