Jessica Herman

Normally just a handful of fashion photographer Farrokh Chothia's black-and-white portraits flavor the dining experience at Vermillion (10 West Hubbard). From a Venus di Milo-like silhouette by the sea to a staccato glimpse of the nape of a model's neck, Chothia's depictions of Indian goddesses are part of the restaurant's grand ensemble. But on December 5, celebrating Vermillion's first-year anniversary, sixty of Chothia's machinations will be the main course, so to speak.

"He's known to be eccentric because of the purity of his art," says Vermillion's owner Rohini Dey. "It's very clean and sensual." When the New Delhi native opened the Contemporary Indian and Latin-American fusion eatery, she wanted to turn the stereotypical image of India upside-down; Dey's selection of art was central to the mission.

Putting down her mint, ginger and lime-infused "water of the day," she turns to the 4 x 5 image distinguishing Vermillion's entryway: the silvery rendering of a model standing on the shoreline, engulfed by four topless boys mid-leap like hovering flies, shows Chothia's attention to light and texture. Dey uses the image as her restaurant's icon.

"There is a celebration of the beauty of women, the fairest sex," says Dey, explaining her attraction to Chothia's work and the relevance of his imagery to themes she associates with Vermillion. Vermillion literally translates as "red powder," which Indian women smear on their foreheads when they are married or participating in religious celebrations.

Showing a wide selection of never-before-seen works, the anniversary exhibition also marks Chothia's introduction to the U.S. Beyond the walls of the Chicago restaurant, Chothia's artistic and commercial photographs of top models and major brands appear "from Bombay to the Big Apple," with one shot currently basking in the limelight of Times Square.

Having recently hosted a book-launch event honoring Suketu Mehta, Dey looks forward to using her space as a site that celebrates contemporary Indian and Latin-American culture. For now, she's gearing up for Chothia's big arrival.

The exhibition of Farrokh Chothia's personal collection shows at Vermillion, 10 West Hubbard, (312)527-4060, on December 5 from 5-10pm. There will be complimentary champagne, tapas and a lecture on beauty in Indian art hosted by The Art Institute of Chicago.

(2004-11-30)

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