International Museum Day: How #MuseumAesthetic Dates Became a Trend in Delhi

International Museum Day: How #MuseumAesthetic Dates Became a Trend in Delhi

Young Delhi Couples Embrace Museum Dates on International Museum Day

Don't let the idea of planning a date scare you anymore! Young couples in Delhi-NCR are finding inspiration with museum dates becoming the new trend. On International Museum Day, some pairs share their excitement about exploring museum exhibits through their phone's lens while viewing them with the rose-tinted glasses of love. Moreover, new-age museum founders and curators explain how they are making these spaces more interactive for frequent daters.

A still from the Bollywood movie Ki & Ka (2016) shows actors Kareena Kapoor Khan and Arjun Kapoor on a date at the National Rail Museum in Chanakyapuri.

Joining the trend in the age of #MuseumAesthetic, some couples are visiting museums to capture their romantic moments. “A lot has to do with the aesthetics of the place since there's a constant demand to make one’s Instagram more exciting, especially with the presence of a mysterious lover,” says Vanya Malhotra. This final-year student of Delhi University loves Museo Camera in Gurugram’s sector 28 and visits it regularly with her boyfriend Ahaan Yadav, a final-year engineering student. Malhotra adds, “Museums are great places to take beautiful photos. They are also less expensive to hang out and a convenient way to spend more time with your partner. Museo Camera has added a special touch to our dates.”

Trending Spaces for New-Age Dates

Museo Camera in Gurugram is quickly becoming a favorite spot for youngsters who enjoy visiting for more than just coffee and conversations. “The online demand for aesthetics is one of the main reasons why this trend has grown and why so many of my generation are opting for museum dates,” says Sidakpreet Singh, a Delhi-based software engineer who has explored many museums with his partner. “It's not just about taking pictures of each other, but also about capturing the beauty of the date. The best way to do this is by photographing your partner from the back with a gallery or exhibit in the background. The idea is to show that they are looking at the artifact on display, but you are just looking at them!”

Shinni Mehta and Saksham Arora on a date at the Museum of Illusions in Connaught Place.

Many are also trying to connect with their inner child by visiting museums because these places allow them to let go of inhibitions. “When we visit the Museum of Illusions in Connaught Place, it leaves us amazed and puzzled,” shares Shinni Mehta, a final-year student at DU who visited with her boyfriend Saksham Arora, a physiotherapy graduate. “We had been dating for a few years and got bored of sitting in cafes. We wanted an alternative and found this museum filled with illusions. It was our best date ever! We connected with our inner child and built a deeper connection with each other while exploring our playful side. The illusions tricked our senses and made us question what was in front of us and how much we trusted each other.”

Capturing Moments in Museums

Delhiite Jay Singh keeps his Instagram profile interesting by creating a sense of mystery around his current dating partner. Here's one example of how he did it while visiting the Partition Museum inside Dara Shikoh Library Building at Kashmere Gate.

Be it the National Museum or the Partition Museum, these places attract history lovers who share their passion for old artifacts with their partners. “I've often gone to a museum with my partner, carrying a notebook and pen. Who would believe that’s my backpack for a date? But it's not just about meeting; it's also a learning experience,” says Jay Singh, a history student at Delhi University. “Museums are a haven for us because they offer insights into our primary subject and allow us time and space to discuss their politics. Hats off to those who preserve these treasure troves! It's cool to bring friends who aren't studying history or interested in this subject since there are also some quirky museums in the city.”

Love Amid Museums

“Capturing the essence of museum aesthetics is only possible when curators make them interactive and engaging,” says Aditya Arya, founder of Museo Camera. “Young couples visit us in thousands, sitting across the museum, dating surrounded by art! Today's museums are not just repositories of the past. They engage with the present and create experiential spaces. That's why visitors constantly make reels. We recently set up a space outside, under a tree, with furniture made of old railroad sleepers. This is the place to sit, have coffee, and talk to someone.”

Interactive Museum Experiences

Kishwer Desai, curator of the Partition Museum in Kashmere Gate, notices a similar influx of couples and believes, “It's not the technical details of an object but the stories of love that excite many. The museum's subject is very serious, and young people are curious about these stories. It's interesting to discover knowledge with someone you care for! Our staff, aged between 20 and 30, encourages more young people to visit since it's not a static museum. We keep organizing events that most find fascinating.”

What is #MuseumAesthetic?

Museums are now explored not just with the naked eye but also through the lens. The trend of museum aesthetics highlights the habit of photographing one’s date with museum exhibits in the background. It might seem artsy, but that's what gets Instagram likes!