A Bridge of Light and Colour
The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in Mumbai is hosting the “ Dream Vision,” an exhibition that has officially arrived in Mumbai after receiving a superlative rejoinder from New Delhi. This exhibition is a solo show by Nikas Safronov, a National Artist of the Russian Federation and one of the world’s most celebrated contemporary painters. The exhibition is scheduled from December 30, 2025, to January 15, 2026. This showcase marks a decisive step in the cultural exchange between Russia and India. This event is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and is offering free public entry to all.
The showcase of Nikas’ paintings was originally inaugurated at the Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, where it received an overwhelming response. This showcase appears to be a cultural handshake between the two nations. The Delhi showcase attracted high-profile visitors, including Sonia Gandhi, and coincided with the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Now, its showcasing in Mumbai is a more pragmatic step towards expressing the notion of a “multipolar” world.
The Philosophical Twigs
View this post on Instagram
The gallery projects the artworks in the company of modern multimedia and AI. It aims to create a space where viewers trace themselves as a part of the artist’s vision. The artworks are not restricted to canvases alone; they are chaperoned by digital protrusions, sound systems, and other visual treats. The curatorial stewardship envisions a pathway to redefine how Indian audiences encounter contemporary art. The prime highlight of the whole showcase is Nikas’ patented technique. He employs multiple layers of diaphanous lighting to emulate a “dream-like” impression. He has masterfully integrated AI-driven sequences along with 400 meters of LED screens. Through these techniques, he enlivens the quiescent canvases into a digital elephant bearing a framed dream-city.
In the Indian context, the elephant is a symbol of wisdom and continuity. The elephant framed by the artist represents bearing the weight of a surreal civilisation and imagined futures. This is an efficacious metaphor for a transnational artistic symbiosis. The elephant itself forms a hybrid ground where Indian symbolic traditions carry Russian dream narratives into an iconographic syntax.
Genres & Isms
View this post on Instagram
Nikas’ artistic interpretations draw inspiration from classical realism, symbolism, and surrealism. His dream-like construct probes into the extent of memory, time, and hits the peripheries of metaphysical conscience. With NGMA’s backing in the orchestration of this showcase, his imagination surpasses the boundary of extrapolation and depicts human forms within dubious vistas. The rendezvous of a visitor with the artist’s virtuosity creates a different trail of imageries where the spectator is not a passive admirer, but an essential core of the artist’s “dream.”
This art exhibition is dedicated to strengthening the amiable ties between Russia and India. “Dream Vision” celebrates the ligatures between the two sovereigns and diplomatically commemorates the long shared Indo-Russian artistic exchanges, ranging from Soviet-era theatre pedagogy to shared cinematic and literary networks. These exchanges facilitated the growth of modern Indian art education.
The exhibition is also co-supported by the Rosneft Oil Company. This support demonstrates the active participation of a corporation’s cultural responsibilities in coordinating an international art collaboration.
Glimpses of The Event
| Aspects | Details |
|---|---|
| The Artist | Nikas Safronov |
| Artist Background | People’s Artist of Russia, known for portraiture and a surrealist-symbolic style |
| Mumbai Schedule | 30 December 2025 – 15 January 2026 at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) |
| Key Sponsorship | Organised with the full support of Rosneft Oil Company, highlighting corporate–cultural synergy |
| Technological Integration | AI, neuro-mirrors, augmented reality, and 4D soundscapes animating the canvases |
| Cultural Dialogue | Series inspired by Indian landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, Varanasi, and Hindu mythology |
| Entry | Free |
| Supported By | Rosneft Oil Company |
| Nature of Exhibition | Immersive multimedia solo exhibition |
Key Highlights
- A solo exhibition by the National Artist of the Russian Federation
- Integrates painting, multimedia, and artificial intelligence
- Designed as an immersive, participatory art environment
- Celebrates Indo–Russian cultural dialogue
- Previously received an overwhelming response in New Delhi
- Free public entry ensures wide accessibility
- Visitors are greeted by hand-painted elephant sculptures in Russian folk styles, symbolizing the union of the two nations
- A multimedia corridor uses color-recognition technology to generate a personalized trail of light for every visitor
- Safronov created ten specific works for this tour, reimagining the spiritual ghats of Varanasi and the Bara Imambara through his surrealist lens
- Each hall features bespoke aromas and spatial sound design, creating an “atmosphere of presence” that transcends the visual
- In line with Safronov’s philosophy that art should be accessible to all, the exhibition offers Free Entry to the public
Takeaway: The Future of Multipolar Art
This exhibition is a one-stop explorational site that taps into the Moscow Kremlin and Indian temples alike. It emphasizes philosophical depth and proves that art is the universal language. Dream Vision is a masterful depiction of how traditional art can thrive in the digital age. While people fear AI as a potent encroacher, the artist demonstrated that technology can be a powerful ally in making art more democratic and emotionally resonant. This exhibition proves that art is a tool for connection rather than just a commodity for the elite. In an era often dominated by transactional geopolitics, this exhibition quietly but powerfully asserts that shared creativity can still shape shared futures.
