National, 08/12/2025 By Sanjeev: With the support of Rosneft Oil Company, an immersive exhibition by the People’s Artist of the Russian Federation Nikas Safronov has opened in New Delhi. The exhibition, titled Dream Vision, is on view at the National Academy of Arts Lalit Kala Akademi from December 7 to December 21.
The show presents 100 of Safronov’s most significant works, including a special series created specifically for Indian audiences. In these new canvases, scenic architectural views of Moscow and St. Petersburg sit alongside images of the Taj Mahal and other iconic Indian landmarks — a deliberate meeting of places that, as Safronov noted at a press conference on 8 December at the Russian Embassy in New Delhi, is intended to “create a dialogue between cities and cultures — how Moscow and St. Petersburg can speak with Indian architectural symbols to form a new visual space.”
Works are displayed across eight galleries on two floors of the Academy, occupying approximately 1,300 square meters. Dream Vision blends classical painting with contemporary multimedia technology: visitors are welcomed by decorative elephant sculptures hand-painted in traditional Russian folk styles and pass through a multimedia corridor where each guest is accompanied by a unique color that merges into a flowing spectrum of light. More than 400 meters of LED screens featuring augmented reality effects, artificial intelligence elements, and immersive interactive installations accompany visitors throughout the route.
Robotics and animatronics enhance the exhibition: enormous flowers come to life and reflect in mirrored floors, avatars from past and future appear, and on screen a giant elephant steps from summer into winter — moving from a warm evening in Varanasi to the snow-covered walls of the Moscow Kremlin. Each hall features bespoke sound and aroma design to amplify the sensory experience. About the method behind these layered, dreamlike scenes Safronov explained that the “Dream Vision” technique allows me to work with multilayered images: where one reality smoothly passes into another, the viewer begins to see their own dreams and memories.”
Rosneft’s support continues the company’s active role in major cultural projects and in strengthening Russian–Indian cultural ties. “I am glad that this project is supported by Rosneft — collaboration helps expand cultural exchange and introduce Indian audiences to Russian painting in a contemporary, interactive format,” Safronov added, acknowledging the role of the sponsor in bringing the project to India. This summer, with Rosneft’s support, the India Festival was held on Manezhnaya Square in Moscow, and in October 2024 Rosneft backed the successful premiere of Olympic champion Tatiana Navka’s ice show Scheherazade’s Love Story in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. A continuation of the exhibition will be presented in Mumbai from December 25, 2025 to January 15, 2026.
