House, home
HOSTED BY
howareyoufeeling.studio • Akshat Ranjan
LOCATION
The Soho House, Mumbai
On November 29th, members stepped into the eighth floor of Soho House—a familiar and intimate space for regular visitors—only to find the floor ‘tilted’ by a few degrees. The furniture was arranged exactly as one would expect, yet there was a lingering unease as if the space itself was on the brink of falling, yet it remained firmly in place. The incline elevated one side of the space into a stage-like platform, sloping downward toward the other side. This minor disruption created an unfamiliar discomfort, subtly altering the visual dynamics and prompting the realization that art is no longer confined to a frame, gradually evolving into something more immersive and experiential.
An evening that many may have gathered for insightful conversations was unfolded into a deeply thought-provoking experience, titled ‘House, home’ by Doyel Joshi and Neil Ghose Balser, founders of How Are You Feeling studio. At the centre, while the co-founders engaged in a talk with Akshat Rajan, founder of studio Akiko Rythm, performers dressed in casual attire moved in slow, deliberate motions, influenced by the slant of the floor. As the audience observed, it felt as though they were witnessing a powerful metaphor for how even the smallest changes in our surroundings can significantly alter the way we interact with the world.
The duo shed all pretension, embracing rawness and vulnerability as they shared personal insights, from their artistic journeys to the transformation of their wedding into a high-fashion conceptual art piece. In one of the rare moments where the borders between artist and audience blur, Doyel and Neil transformed the environment, inviting larger dialogues on reimagining the familiar. The slight tilt of the stage challenged the audience to reconsider their relationship with the world around them and reflect on how even the most reassuring aspects of our environment—our sense of normalcy and safety—can distort our growth and confine us.
Among the many impactful messages delivered during the evening, it was particularly inspiring to see how Akshat’s spiritual approach wove another dimension to the conversation, and how creatives like Doyel and Neil are integrating awareness and consciousness into their work, expanding its scope beyond being perceived as something to simply look at and admire. It's inspiring to witness how contemporary artists and studios like How Are You Feeling are redefining their roles and challenging established norms. From its inception, the studio's work has consistently surprised and made a lasting impact by addressing thought-provoking topics that encourage viewers to step out of their comfort zones. Their art places the audience on an emotional pedestal, prompting introspection on subjects we might otherwise overlook. As the Indian art scene continues to expand and push the boundaries of what art can convey, we look forward to more works that inspire us to reevaluate our perceptions and engage with various facets of our lives on a deeper level.
