'Lockdown Dreamscapes' by Good Earth
On World Ranger Day, Good Earth opened its doors to 'Lockdown Dreamscapes', their first-ever limited-edition Art-Print series inspired by nature’s imagined takeover on mankind during the challenging period of lockdown.
The 'Lockdown Dreamscapes' art series was imagined by the Good Earth, the luxury brand reminiscent of India's artisanal legacy, often exquisitely portrayed through their illustrious range of products.
The design team at Good Earth found inspiration from the lockdown enforced during the Coronavirus Pandemic. In turn, they created a set of 4 digital artworks that were translated into limited edition Art-Prints. The Dreamscapes aim to present an imagined landscape where our favorite monuments have been reclaimed by the grandeur of nature; rich flora and fauna, exotic species and mythical creatures, thus, recalling a Utopian world in which man and nature live together in harmony. The series features nature-inspired motifs from Good Earth’s design library, hand-drawn by the brand’s in-house team of artists along with some elements from the works of ancient miniature artists.
On 31st August, also known as World Ranger Day, the limited edition Art-Prints went live for sale on Good Earth’s web boutique. Joining hands with the non-profit organization, Wildlife Trust of India, all the sale proceeds were contributed towards the cause of supporting the Van Rakshaks (front line staff of the state
forest departments), who are the primary guardians of India’s wildlife and their habitat, but unfortunately do not receive adequate care and protection.
Speaking about the initiative, Good Earth’s Founder and Creative Director, Anita Lal says “Good Earth believes in the philosophy of Van Vaibhav (forest splendor), we all are a part of this splendor and need to stay connected with it or else we are lost. During the recent lockdown we all witnessed this ‘return of nature’ that manifested as result of the lack of human interference. The Lockdown Dreamscapes series is our interpretation of this natural revival - about merging nature with its wondrous creatures including human beings and hoping for mankind to live with heightened awareness and positivity. Our partner for this initiative, Wildlife Trust of India, shares the same vision and we are proud
to associate with them for the cause of our earth warriors, whose contribution to
conservation of our forests and wildlife is invaluable.”
Soon after the Art-Prints were available online, all hundred limited edition sets were sold out, an amazing response while contributing immensely to the cause. The initiative has contributed a total of INR 6,50,000 to support and provide financial assistance to our frontline forest staff and conservation warriors. "We’re grateful for all the love and support we have received on Lockdown Dreamscapes from our audience. This project started as a creative experiment during the challenging period of lockdown and turned into a heartfelt, meaningful endeavour. We are glad that everyone appreciated the art and came forward to support the cause of protecting our wildlife and its guardians" said the Good Earth team.
All four sets of artwork can be viewed below:
1) VAN VAIBHAV (Splendour of the Forest)
“The spleadour of the moon, the stars, the rising sun, the winds, the sky, the vegetation, the animals, birds, rivers, trees and mountains… together form the beauty of nature.” - Rigveda
First in the series, our Van Vaibhav dreamscape signifies that we all are a part of this splendour and need to stay connected or else we are lost.
2) NO POLARITY
Even though we may ‘literally’ be poles apart, we can and should meet on common ground. Our second dreamscape No Polarity, is set in Delhi’s astronomical observatory, Jantar Mantar commissioned by Maharajah Sawaii Jai Singh II of Jaipur in the 18th century. On a balmy fragrant summer night, we imagined exotic visitors from the two freezing poles taking a break, having landed in Jantar Mantar to observe celestial bodies and perhaps find out what lies ahead.
And we can only hope that the stars predict the melting of boundaries and peaceful coexistence of opposing ideas and beliefs.
It is about balancing conflicting impulses.
A quote from our favourite Sufi poet Rumi: “Life is a balance of holding on and letting go”
2) SUBMERGED MEMORIES
“𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘦𝘦.” — Henry David Thoreau
⠀
Myths and Memories abound in Delhi’s ancient Purana Qila, a site believed to be the legendary city of Indraprastha, capital of the kingdom of the Pandavas. Estimated to have existed around 900 BCE, this was a period that saw the devastating war of Kurukshetra, as narrated in the great epic, the Mahabharata. Excavations prove that this site has been continuously inhabited for 3000 years. We can just imagine the myriad memories that linger here from so many bygone eras; of people who lived and fought and loved inside these walls!
⠀
The origins of the current Purana Qila lie within the walls of Dinpanah, the new city of Delhi that was constructed by Mughal emperor Humayun around mid-sixteenth century. Historian Abul Fazl records that this fort was built on the site of ancient Indraprastha.
⠀
Our dreamscape Submerged Memories imagines this massive ancient qila getting submerged in rising waters and our gods and goddesses coming to the rescue! Matsya the fish-saviour is seen as an avatar of Vishnu. Its legend has an embedded symbolism, where a small fish with Manu's protection grows to become a big fish, and the fish ultimately saves our earthly existence.
4) NEVER STOP LOOKING UP
For our last dreamscape, Never Stop Looking Up, we saw a dramatic takeover of the towering 800 year old Qutab Minar by exotic creatures from the rainforests of the Amazon which are now under threat due to human greed and the resultant deforestation. And if current deforestation rates continue, these critical habitats could disappear from the planet completely within the next hundred years.
Even though it feels so distant and far away, we need to be aware that we are all
connected and the impact will be felt across the globe. Moisture produced by the world’s forests generates rainfall thousands of miles away.
Our colourful macaws and toucans flew all the way across the globe and have made a home inside the Qutab. Perched atop its balconies with flowers and ferns branching out, fluttering butterflies in a riot of colour, a jaguar on the prowl and a coiled glistening anaconda along with a banded tree snake resting on its sculpted surface; they shake up the sleepy environs of the Qutab and serve as a reminder of the dangers of global warming where each small action - negative or positive can make a difference
‘Looking up’ is a metaphor to live with heightened awareness, positivity and hope. We leave you with that!
The Good Earth team is currently working on a wildlife-inspired collection for both their Home and Apparel categories, to be launched by mid-August.
Visit https://www.goodearth.in/ to know more!
All images and artworks are copyright of Good Earth.