This place offers furniture you can only dream of

El Garbo in Jangpura is home to crystal skulls, cars that have been turned into furniture & other peculiar exhibits.

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Flying Harley’ is a World War II era Harley Davidson bike that has been painted with tattoo art.
‘Flying Harley’ is a World War II era Harley Davidson bike that has been painted with tattoo art. Photo: Mail Today

Furniture comes in all shapes and sizes. Some are made of cane, some are made of wood and covered with leather and then there are those, over at El Garbo, that are fashioned out of a classic Rolls Royce. And yet, as unusual as the object sounds, it's only the tip of the iceberg of the surrealist art paradise conceptualised by Monish Bali of Mount Shivalik.

The Fusion Illusion is a bar counter that has been designed drawing inspiration from the Industrial Revolution. Photo: Mail Today

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"We wanted," he says, "to create an art paradise in the capital - a space that makes one forget the ordinariness of everyday life and instead experience truly larger than life collectibles, sculptures and installations, which until now could only be imagined and dreamed of." He continues, "El Garbo has been designed as an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, with 60 exhibits that allows the viewer to immerse himself/herself into a dream-like world. It was conceptualised as a solution to the city's lack of free, surrealist art spaces."

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All of the 60 pieces have been commissioned by Bali himself. "If I chanced upon an idea that I felt would look visually enthralling, I would get it made. I work with a team of highly-skilled artisans that are based in the country and abroad and are as passionate about beauty, luxury and design as I am. They help to translate my vision into the one-of-a-kind artworks displayed at El Garbo," he adds.\

One of the thirteen crystal skulls on display at El Garbo. Photo: Mail Today

Bali's vision is different, to say the least. There are recreated automobiles that double up as fashionable furniture, a replica of the AEG.I German biplane that can be used to hold one's glasses over a bar counter, and wooden by Srijani Ganguly dining tables that turn into pool tables by sliding away the polished top counter. One of his favourites is 'Adam & Eve', two polar white marble chairs detailed with the carvings of the faces of the biblical couple.

But his most favourite exhibit is one entitled 'The Skull'. "It is an incredible three-dimensional installation that comprises of 450,000 beads made of pure stainless steel. Each bead has been placed by hand and hence, this masterpiece reflects the best in human craftsmanship," he says. At El Garbo, Bali adds, every piece has a unique story. "However," he says, "we've dedicated an entire room to an especially fascinating one. The room of the 'Thirteen Crystal Skulls', that embody the legend that one day thirteen crystal skulls shall help shift the paradigm of this old age and usher in a new era, encapsulates this dark story of lore. Each skull has been decorated with hand-placed minute crystals, displaying unique designs that display the avatars of our comic book superheroes."

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Having created the unique destination, Bali hopes that El Garbo continues to change as they add different types of art to the space. El Garbo is located at 11B Mathura Road, Jangpura (next to Rajdoot Hotel).