Dhwani Mehul Shah

IR3006

The story is about a 98-year-old building sitting just ahead of “ Rani na Hajira”. The Neoclassical - Victorian style building was very busy in its times. The building was full of energetic traders and brokers shouting out company names, signalling bids trying to get the best they can. The building sits today recalling the times it was the centre of attention. The building is none other than the Old Stock Exchange. The building itself is a work of art and carvings. But in the end 20 years back the Exchange was shifted because of its need for space and equipment. After that the building feels silent, it sits like a tired elder in those streets observing the markets around. Seeing the current scenario, the building lacks the soul, the exchange of bids, fight for the right price, the gathering of people in and around. When we talk about Ahmedabad, there are a lot of people who acknowledge the expression of art, such as this building. As there is an increase of people who are interested in collecting artworks and sculptures in Ahmedabad. The soul of the building is the exchange, one can revive the soul by planting a seed of exchange in the building; Exchange of art, Exchange of expression, Exchange of love and passion in the form of paintings. The Old Stock Exchange will serve as an auction centre, the old building’s heart of heritage, with Ahmedabad becoming the first heritage city, it has a lot of stories to tell and thus the building serves its part in sharing the different stories related to different artworks.