Aakash Nihalani is an artist of Indian descent born in 1986 in Queens, New York, who currently lives and works in Brooklyn.
He is known for his geometric installations that transform urban space through the use of coloured tape, creating three-dimensional optical illusions that interact with their surroundings and the public.
Training and First Experiences
In 2008, Nihalani received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Steinhardt School of New York University (NYU). Four years later, in 2012, he was selected by Lisa de Kooning for an artistic residency at Willem de Kooning's studio in East Hampton, New York.
This experience allowed him to deepen his artistic practice and explore new dimensions of expression. In 2013, the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill commissioned him to create three temporary installations on the exterior wall of the museum, designed by Herzog & de Meuron.
Art Style and Technique
Nihalani's art is characterised by his innovative use of coloured, often fluorescent adhesive tape, with which he creates simple geometric shapes such as squares, rectangles and cubes.
These shapes, applied on urban surfaces, create the illusion of three-dimensionality and appear to be deceptive extensions of surrounding structures.
The artist draws inspiration from the repetitive architecture of New York, in particular the rectangular blocks of Manhattan, and uses the universal language of geometry to establish a direct dialogue with the public.
His installations invite viewers to physically interact with the works, thus completing the artistic experience through active participation.
Exhibitions and Awards
Nihalani's work has been exhibited internationally in numerous solo and group exhibitions in cities such as New York, Rome, New Delhi and London. His works have appeared in museums, galleries and public spaces, and have been presented at world-class art festivals, including Nuart in Stavanger in 2012, Les Grandes Traversées in Bordeaux in 2010 and Blk River in Vienna in 2009.
His creations have attracted the attention of prestigious publications such as The New York Times, The Times of India and Vogue India, cementing his reputation in the contemporary art scene.
Interaction with Urban Space
A central aspect of Nihalani's work is the transformation of urban spaces through interventions that play with visual perception. His installations, often temporary, are designed to surprise and engage passers-by, encouraging them to see their everyday environment in a new light.
The artist exploits the inherent familiarity of geometric shapes to create a sense of wonder and stimulate reflection on the relationship between reality and illusion.
As Nihalani himself states,
"There is an inherent familiarity we all have with shapes, regardless of our background, and this is a great place to start".
Recent Projects
In 2017, a number of Nihalani's works were installed at Boston's Rose Kennedy Greenway, offering the public new opportunities to interact with his creations.
In 2018, the Wunderkammern gallery in Milan hosted her solo exhibition entitled ‘Tilt’, curated by Giuseppe Pizzuto with a critical text by Claudia Giraud. For this occasion, the artist created a site-specific installation using tape and paint directly on the gallery walls, exploring the theme of perception and inviting viewers to actively participate in the artistic experience.
Aakash Nihalani continues to explore the potential of art as a means of interaction and transformation of urban space.
Through his geometric and playful installations, he invites the public to reconsider everyday reality, challenging conventional perceptions and creating moments of surprise and reflection in the urban context.
Aakash Nihalani: Works for sale with prices and value from Wunderkammern
If you are interested in the artist, you can find Aakash Nihalani's works for sale online at our website.
If you would like to know about Aakash Nihalani's prices, value or which works will be exhibited, please do not hesitate to contact us by sending an e-mail to shop@wunderkammern.net.
Register
