Harsh Munde | Photojournalist
An ode to Mumbai’s enduring spirit of ambition and individuality, the public art installation brings together contemporary design, Indian craftsmanship and the stories that shape a city.
Mumbai, 14 November 2026: Ikai Asai, the contemporary cultural platform founded by Ananya Birla, has unveiled The One That Got Away – City of Dreams, a public art installation at Mumbai’s historic Horniman Circle. Conceptualised by Ananya Birla as an ode to the city and its people, the sculpture marks the launch of Stories {in}form, Ikai Asai’s new public art and design initiative, bringing narratives of culture, identity and aspiration into shared urban spaces.
At its heart, the sculpture is a story distinctly familiar to Mumbai. A city of constant movement and reinvention, where people arrive with aspirations, forge their own paths and contribute to its ever-evolving identity. The sculpture captures this relationship between the individual and the collective, celebrating the possibilities that emerge when different dreams converge.
Yet it is the one that breaks away that gives the installation its name and meaning. The One That Got Away represents the dreamer who chooses an independent path, guided by conviction, hope and the courage to believe in what lies ahead. It is a celebration of individuality, but equally of the larger spirit of possibility that defines Mumbai.
The sculpture’s materiality carries its own narrative of renewal. Crafted primarily from Kansa metal sourced from Ikai Asai’s craft collections, the work gives existing materials a new purpose. Through traditional metalworking and contemporary design, it explores the intersection of craftsmanship, circularity and artistic expression.
The installation stands tall at 12 feet and 9000 kg. The sculpture takes the form of a collection of 26 balloon-like forms rising into a cloud-like canopy. Each represents an individual aspiration; together, they reflect the collective ambition of a city built on the dreams of millions.
Positioned within the historic setting of Horniman Circle, the installation creates a visual dialogue between the city’s architectural heritage and its contemporary cultural identity. In the midst of Mumbai’s everyday movement, it offers a moment of pause, inviting people to see something of their own journeys reflected in the work.
Ananya Birla, Founder, Ikai Asai, who conceptualised the installation, said: “The One That Got Away is my ode to Mumbai, a city that has always inspired me with its ambition, resilience and extraordinary capacity to dream. When I first imagined this sculpture, I wanted it to celebrate the courage to believe in yourself, while recognising that our aspirations can contribute to something far greater than ourselves. Amidst the hustle and bustle of this city, there is always that one dreamer who chooses a different path, holds on to hope and finds the courage to take flight. Through Stories {in}form, I hope to bring art into our everyday lives, creating spaces that inspire reflection, connection and the belief that every dream has the possibility to become something meaningful.”
About Ikai Asai:
Ikai Asai is a contemporary cultural platform founded by Ananya Birla, built around the belief that Indian art and design are a living, evolving part of modern culture. Today, Ikai Asai is expanding into a broader ecosystem spanning editorial storytelling, bespoke design and inspired collaborations. Its ambition is to present India’s art, craft, culture and design with context and contemporary relevance—and to shape an aspiration to live an inspired life.
About Ikai Asai Stories {in}form:
Stories {in}form is the platform’s public art and design initiative, exploring stories that inform cultural identity and the translation of those stories into three-dimensional form. It advances the platform’s commitment to Indian creativity through public engagement and exchange. Through sculpture, craft and design, Stories {in}form seeks to make art accessible in public spaces, encouraging new encounters between cities and the communities that inhabit them.
Website: https:// ikaiasai.com