Photographer captures lesser known towns in Europe

The lesser known remains of the castles and fortresses built since 7th century in the eastern European country of Croatia and the majestic conical roofed houses situated in the Alberobello region of Italy have been captured by Chennai-based photographer, Sharad Haksar in a new art show here.
Titled "Three", the photographs essay the histories of some of the iconic and lesser known cities of Europe.
For Haksar, the uncanny combination of magnificence and simplicity of the architecture in Alberobello and the old town of Dubrovnik in Croatia, inspired him to come up with a series of photographs and eventually do an exhibition in India.

Photographs of roads lined with rows of olive trees and vineyards laden with ripe grapes have been captured beautifully along side the dry stone walls of "Trulli"- the traditional Apulian hut with conical roof.
When asked why his pictures do not feature human beings and only nature in different forms, he says he wants his work to be recognised from an architectural point of view.
Some of his photographs present aesthetics of the mountainous terrain, which look like paintings to the eyes of the viewer.

"Different architecture as well as aesthetics of buildings have always inspired me to click pictures. Whenever I think of starting a new series my first step is to research profoundly on the lesser known places in the world which have a cultural as well as architectural heritage to them.

"My latest work started a year back when I decided to go to some cities in Europe. Not much in the public gaze, these small old towns have a beauty in themselves," Haksar told PTI.
The artist who has been awarded with the prestigious Cannes Silver Lion award says although he has always been fascinated by the old architecture of monuments in India, but unlike West the country has not been able to diversify its creative capabilities in constructing new buildings.
"Even a lamppost or post office in London is usually designed with certain aesthetics. We have a rich source of cultural heritage like the Khajurao or the iconic Taj Mahal but we have not been able to utilise all that in the new buildings that we create.

"There is a lack of street art and creativity in our country," he says.
Haksar has captured a life-size photograph of the fortress in the old town of Dubrovnik that has been a favourite shooting locale for the makers of the popular 'The Games of Thrones' series.
Built in the 7th century, the majestic fortress looks like a carnelian jewel enveloped by the Adriatic sea on three sides, especially when viewed from, a post in the hills, says Haksar.
The artist is also displaying his series "Illusions in Impressions" at the show.
With unique titles like "Eclipse of a Lamp", "Footprints of a Diva" and "Mystery Corn", Haksar has created photos by pressing ordinary objects against coloured powder.

"This series was created by pressing ordinary objects against coloured powder and making them look extraordinary by not actually putting them in the frame of the camera.
"These vibrant impressions were then lit to create an illusion of third dimension. The final picture looks like an appearance of the object embossed in the colour," he says.
The exhibition is set to continue till June 7 at India Habitat Centre here.