The Lunar Dome

Over the years, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) – the space agency of the government of India, has spearheaded several scientific breakthroughs, single-handedly placing India in an elite league of space faring nations. In November 2019, we collaborated with Asian Paints and Sideways Consulting to pay a tribute to ISRO’s exemplary work through a special project - entitled ‘The Lunar Dome’ at the Nehru Planetarium in Mumbai.

Painting on a white dome on the Planetarium’s terrace, artists Sharad, Alam and Munir Bukhari worked over 10 days to create a veritable ‘Moon in Mumbai’. The Planetarium, known for its extraordinary space installations and comprehensive roster of astronomy-related events, hosts many a science-buff regularly and thus served as the perfect setting for the project.

The final result was an acutely detailed snapshot of the moon, only this one was painted.

From discovering water on the Moon and being the first space agency in Asia to reach Mars orbit, to creating a world record for releasing the maximum number of satellites in orbit (104) in a single launch, ISRO’s numerous missions have captured the collective imagination of the nation time and again. The Lunar Dome commemorates the pride ISRO has brought to each and every Indian by soaring high and reaching for infinity and beyond in innovative ways.

While celebrating the work ISRO has done in the past, the Dome is also emblematic of all the future achievements they have in store for us as a nation.