(Un)Common Concerns

Grocery bags filled with calculations- mostly subtractions, clothes designs on onion, ATM Slips, text messages that keep bumping into a salaried person's cellphone, or a wallet and common food like Wada-Paaw... constitute a language of the everyday that Chandrakant Ganacharya has seen in the city and elsewhere. It finds it's due place in his work, and boils down to hunger, struggle, and the powers that form the lure and lore of this everyday. 

Artist : Chandrakant S Ganacharya

Beneath the overtly middle-class concerns readable in Chandrakant's work, there are layers of meaning common not only to a class, or not only to humans. Everyday stuggles can be a reality for a turtle, a frog, a lizard, an octopus, or a jellyfish.The artist places these animal and insects, graphically under the onion that has been sitting on a throne - thanks to hoarders and their political bosses.

Chandrakant's installations are eloquent about absence, though each of them looks visually abundant. Each ATM slip digs deeper in your bank balance. The text messages bluntly say : you have (only this much of) money or you will need a loan to fulfill your dream. 

Recent work by Chandrakant S Ganacharya

The artist further explores these absences by mock recollection and re-enactment.The redundant coins with denominations like 20, 10, five, two and one paise are now executed in terracotta. They were once there, three decades ago, knows every Indian in his fourties, as the work makes the viewer think about a civilization as old as Mohenjodaro or Lothal. Another re-enactment, of the verbal wisdom about hunger, a full meal or acute lack of it , comes to the viewer as speech bubbles, made out of rusted steel dishes of various shapes and sizes. Proverbs, sayings and thoughts in various languages of the subcontinent are literally dished out. 

Recent work by Chandrakant S Ganacharya

Chandrakant's graphic representations, as one in the work titled " Krishna Chhaya" evoke literal clues to black money. However, the artist has a silent mode. he makes us look silently at the row made of gold-plated peanuts and pins... ants, obviously... or is it us? 

The concerns in Chandrakant's work may look common as they reach us. But once we ponder over them, they are not common.

# MONEY * FOOD @ LIFE, 
Jehangir Hirji Art Gallery, 
1st floor, Fort, Mumbai,

Inauguration at 5 pm to 6 pm
on 15 th Feb 2016,

Chandrakant Ganacharya
Mumbai

Join us anytime, from the 20th to the 24th of February,

Dear Friends,

For four days, the Curator’s Gallery, CSMVS, shows new work by Howard Hodgkin, in the exhibition Made in Mumbai, 2016.

Join us anytime, from the 20th to the 24th of February, in a celebration of Howard Hodgkin’s deep connection with  Mumbai and the warm response of people, to his work reflecting the light and life of the city.

The film Howard Hodgkin in India, produced by the British Council  brings the celebration to an end on the 24th of February at 6.30 pm with a screening at the Visitor’s Centre Auditorium, CSMVS. Tea will be served at 6pm.

We would also like to invite you to an evening with the artist Sakti Burman, who will be in conversation with cultural theorist Ranjit Hoskote on the 22nd of February 2016. Sakti Burman who is in the city for a solo exhibition of his works, draws his inspiration from several sources, ranging from the Ajanta caves to the paintings of the Italian Renaissance. The evening promises us insights into an artist who has embraced two cultures and created from them, his own unique world of fable, fantasy and myth. 

Do join us on for tea at 6pm at the Visitor’s Centre, CSMVS on the 22nd of February. The talk will begin at 6.30pm.

Delhi Art Fair at its absurdity best!

A recent visit to India Art Fair in Delhi, observed as India's most prestigious Art Fair in the country known for its class, scale and presentations of its featured artists who participate with various style and genre at the Art Fair aimed for public viewing. The Fair is significant for creating a sense of curiosity for art lovers and artists across the country. It is considered as one of the motivational event for creative brains. However, it was a bit awkward process this year, where one had to go through series of terms and conditions and security protocols issued in an environment of sensitive expression and emotional belief and intimacy. No doubt, it must have been in the keen interest of security, but on slipping in, there was lot more to be sensed than just security rationale.   

New Delhi Entry for New Hope in Art 
( image wikipedia)

Generally, upcoming artists and art lovers come here to witness the salutary creations of established artists and attend discussion and talks about current and feature art works, curatorial projects, collaboration of galleries with artists, art in public spaces and art education and practices. The initiative taken by the galleries and established artists in the country show a keen interest in development of art and education and bringing new dimension and perspective and verticals in academia of visual practices and initiating public forums as well as creative programs to engage art practices within public space. All said and done! Fair enough, witnessed by a few who could trick themselves in the campus of sensitive, sensible and sumptuous creativity zone. 

The basic idea and hopefully if not mistaken, ‘Art Fair’ is organised in park where there are shows and display of artistic fervour and it is entirely aimed at impressing public and art lovers despite of their financial and social status. It is supposed to be free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules. But this Art Fair has totally changed the concept, it has not at all been fair to many and the idiom 'Everything comes at a price", seemed pertinent to the operation of whole affair of the Fair.

The rates of ticket amounting thousands is an expensive matter for the passionate artists and patrons of art coming from far off places to view, admire and learn as as they can from such Fair. But I think a 'Piggy bank' meant to inculcate good habit in children of collecting and saving money, should be followed by these artists and patrons to collect and save money for the upcoming Art Fair, so that they can get the entry, if lucky enough! More than a layman who is supposed to view and develop appreciation for art, one had the feeling that it was a summit of elites. The pompous socialites were the most sought after and heartily welcomed viewers of the Fair. Discussions were nothing but diplomatic views. Established artists forged elements and textures of verbal expression. Obviously ending up as entertainers of numerous platforms with their directorial ideologies and philosophies. Evidently, the neutrality was completely diluted and farce irked the patrons of art. It was clearly an exaltation of delusory beguiling. The spot turned out to be the resource of placid clandestine deal with the certain class of influence. The art lovers and artists from third estates or masses were rare at the scenario as the invitations were restricted to elites only.

India Art Fair- Photo by  Lawande Vinit

This Art Fair failed to establish connection with novice artists and art buffs among masses and that too ironically at the happening taking place at Public Park. This was a grave mistake; very offensive! It has to be given critical importance, because the neglect of masses for classes can affect the future of Art Fair.   

The only rectification for this mistake is that there should be no viewing restrictions and limitations on entry for viewing art works and getting acquainted with established galleries and artists expressing concerns on introducing programs to engage artists and masses into art practice for development of language and vision of art as a representative culture for all, in common interest.

I believe, that if almost all the established artists of today who vocalize their complain about restrictions, permissions and explorations and quest and queries of art when confronted by institutions and galleries, then why do they go mute in case of restrictions, permissions, explorations and quests that pop up at such events held in the name of Fair, for layman, at public spaces?

Do you think : Kabir can go to today's  art fair ??? ( image wikipedia)

Think : Kabira, are the today's Art Fairs for you?
No glamour and bucks to showoff, but only
awareness and distinctive creativity by you!
Save Kabira, save, just for a glance of the proclaimed few,
'cause your presence and intellectual level will be snubbed ,
Evaluating you on basis of  social and economic view.     
 

Introducing new ideas and new visions is easy to express, but the bitter truth is far tasteless in reality. In recent times or until today I have not seen any collaborative projects being introduced in public spaces or in institution by artists or galleries as they are solely for private circulation. To get into the circle one has to count the price and not just calculate on your art or process. Invitations move within certain circles and not in Art Institutions or for young and talented artist waiting eagerly, ready to work.

Artist :Lawande Vinit

Sadly, such organization of programs are not encouraging, instead these seem to be only an encroachment of public parks. Art Fair at Public Park is moving away from its sublime motto of development in spreading art and its processes among society to promote young talent, introducing them to various platforms of development. This very base has been reduced to secondary consideration. Art fervency is chocked in unfavourable, faith-lacking conditions of such events. If the constant rejection and criticism of masses go point-blank, very soon it will jeopardize the manipulative intentions that are gaining preference.  

 Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890)
 ( image wikipedia)

Being global, is the need this age. Unlike Vincent van Gogh, who had only one exhibition in his life time and sold only one painting, now artists have to display their art and make their art known to the world through various mediums and gallaries, so exposure to knowledge and opportunities is a necessity, so there should be no barriers for strugglers, students and patrons on entry and participation in various forums and talks. As a well- wisher and an art patron I feel, it would be the right move if galleries introduce public forums creating opportunities of art, culture and literature in simple and common language for all and must be patient in the process. If such events in interest of public, have to be made a huge success, involvement of art appreciators from among the masses have to be entertained and encouraged.

By Pankaja JK 

in association with Vinit Lawande.

(2016 - No copyright claim of any image by Writer or Artblogazine.com)

send feedback to JK  pankjajk@gmail.com  /  Vinit Lawande : vinit.lawande@gmail.com

Also Read More on New Magazine website :

http://www.artblogazine.in/delhi-art-fair-at-its-absurdity-best/ 

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Art Blogazine  and Art Blogazine does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

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