Date: Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 4:02 PM
Subject: Re: Invitation for Interactive Art Discussion on 14th Feb. 2010 at Gulmohar Hall, IHC
To: bhanu pratap
Dear Banu,
Thank you for inviting me to the discussion and the exhibition. I am sorry that due to my health problem I would not be able to attend the exhibition and discussion.
After I read the text which you have sent, I had 3 things came up which I want you to think about.
1; What is "Modern" in Indian context. 2. What is "Fine Art" in Indian context.
3; What is "History" in Indian context.
I strongly feel that the social development of this part of the world is complex, absolutely unique and marvelous, which you just can not contextualize with only European analytical method. But unfortunately this is the only way we have. We all see ourselves/ our art/ our culture reflected in the Western method. Of course, I do not deny that this is also a great way of recognizing and analyze what it is.
I think this is the key to answer many questions you have .... 'First try to find out what you are'.
Very difficult!
Hope your exhibition would be a great success.
Yuriko
- Show quoted text -
On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 2:15 PM, bhanu pratap
Dear Mrs. Yuriko Lochan, With reference to our telephonic conversation, please find below the topic description for the Interactive Art Discussion planned at the Gulmohar Hall, India Habitat Center on 14th Feb. 2010 Indian Art Defragmented
What is Indian contemporary art?
Art made by Indians today?
Something that is predominantly Indian from a surface sense?
Whats the difference between representing the Indian exotic life and the facts of the world around us?
Risqué painted females, Brahmin boys giving a lost gaze at the viewer. Cows or kites, which are perhaps pseudo depictions of Indian-ness in the arts.” Oh I am Indian, I will make a cow, oh I need a style, I will make the figures semi- ajanta –ish”. Is this the Indian modern art?
What is True Indian Modern Art?
Something that’s easily global on the surface , but is inherently Indian in a modern sense.
It’s a common notion and belief that Indian modern art started during the period after Amrita Shergil and during the Bombay progressive art movement.
If it is felt that Indian has really been modern since the last 15 or so years, how could the Indian modern art depict the modern life in the 50’s and 60’s?
The reason why it might be felt that Indian has been modern in the last decade or so, is because, of the free-er trade and commerce policies that were passed during the nineties. The arrival of free trade and rapid industrial growth with less sanctions engineered the era of modernity,while the vast network of machines and technology shrunk the world and connected its horizons with the threads of communication and transportation. It is also related to the growing power of the bourgeoisie in the various markets and fields. The changing lifestyles made it apparent that the new art depicting the new world was needed.
Could it be that most of the artists in the First Indian modern art movement had exposure to international environment? They were and are all great artists and great modern artist no doubt. But were they essentially artists reacting to Indian social, spatial circumstances?
Modern art might be accomplished today, because how can it be done by an artist who doesn’t live in a modern world.
If the modern world has arrived, are we ready to take it on?
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." -Martin Luther King, Jr. We wish you a speedy recovery.
Regards,
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Bhanu Pratap
+91 (0)9810633505(India)
http://www.bhanupratap.com
'The fragmented Few' is an art exhibition curated by Monica Dawar, displaying the works by Bhanu Pratap, Veraat Singh and Aakshat Sinha. The exhibition is one of a kind physical and online exhibition. The show will open for public on 14th of February 2010 and will be on display till 18th of February 2010 at Convention Foyer, India Habitat Center, Lodhi Road, New Delhi
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Best regards,
Yuriko Ando Lochan
banu(!)
ReplyDeletei like her point in which she believes that d key 2 all our questions lies in understanding ourselves.
gr8. what next?
I think that there is a hole in this thinking. How does one analyse who or what is he? Is this consideration in isolation or with the 'indian' environment in context? Yes, it's true that one can answer all our questions if there is no identity crisis. But, the identity of a contemporary indian artist working in this modern world is still to be defined. So, what can be done?
I believe that the only way forward is to raise these questions in a gathering of artists and art related people. Only then will the pie-chart reveal the dynamics of this 'artistic' society.
aakshat
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Njoi,
Aakshat Sinha
+91 9811192908
011- 4109 6182 (studio)