The work of photographer Karen Knoor is astoundingly beautiful. Her arresting photography is completely transporting to another time and place.  Her recent series, India Song, captures exotic animals against the backdrop of elaborate Indian Mughal interiors through large scale photographs. Using both digital and analog photographic techniques, Knoor, who resides in England, places unsuspecting animals in the highly decorated palace spaces, juxtaposing their grandeur. Inspired by Mughal art, the rich history of ancient Indian animal fables called Panchatantra,  public and private realms, she photographs the palaces, private homes and mausoleums in high resolution and then positions the animals within the frontally-focused interiors. The vivid backdrop of ornate walls, rugs and highly detailed spaces provides the ultimate foil for the exotic animals-- whose unsuspecting poses add to the allure. They are merely passing through, in the digital sense. First seen stateside at The Danziger Gallery in New York, her explosively rich, colorful images examine India's past and present cultural state. Talk about a fantastically original, playful creative concept. Just like India, her art is pure magic.

Photos courtesy of Karen Knorr