Dear Readers,
In spite of the COVID-19 outbreak, the year continues to move forward as the country leaps into Lockdown 4.0. We now adjust all our habits and ways of life in order to coexist with the virus, till we come up with a cure. It is an extremely rough time for the human species as a whole and gives us the opportunity to rethink this world that we have created for ourselves. The holes in our society and institutions have become evident and one can only hope that we use this experience to build a stronger foundation for our country.
In this summer issue, Dhiraj Singh successfully curates a list of The Best of Quarantine Artists in our cover story “Quarantine Artists: You should know about”, revolving around artists who understand, comment on and have worked with isolation. Dhiraj understands the artistry of painters to create strong feelings at the hand of changes in perspective and light.
A sudden shocking incident occurred with the demise of two exemplary Bollywood stars on consecutive days in April 2020. Shanku Sharma writes an obituary “In the midst of a nightmare”, remembering the iconic Irrfan Khan and the heartthrob Rishi Kapoor.
We bring forth a captivating interview of Cerith Wyn Evans by Rajesh Punj, exploring the neon and light sculptures of the Welsh artist. Where natural light acts as a point of departure, Wyn Evans probes to illustrate the perceptible relationship between the natural and artificial. Natural light illuminating the room stands significant to Wyn Evans’ work, the interplay of sunlight with his neon pieces creates a haze around the piece, to the effect of nullifying it, such that when the direct light is at its brightest, the neon disappears.
Manashri Pai Dukle walks through with artist Rajaram Naik exploring Dashavatara Natak in the report “Morphing Faces – Morphing Lives”. Naik’s project titled “Dashavatara” explores the concept of a costume as a tool of identity, forming a discourse through traditional theatre practice where the masculine intervenes the feminine, as male actors would transform into female characters on stage. “Dashavatara” alludes to the ten main reincarnations of Vishnu, and “Nataka” a branch of dramaturgy.
Indian Art Welcomed in Croatia and Slovenia as reported by N. Kalyani, organized and curated by Hanibal Salvaro, a Croatian ceramic artist, sculptor and painter. His works range from abstract paintings to realistic digital hands-free art as well as brick installations to cement and porcelain blended works. Co- curated by the well-known studio potter and passionate ceramic artist and curator Rekha Bajpe Aggarwal from Gurugram.
Manashri Pai Dukle reviews Counter-Canon, Counter-Culture (CCCC) curated by Nancy Adajania at the Serendipity Arts Festival,2019 in Goa. The exhibit communicates through the documentation of alternative history from the 1960’s to 1980’s. Merging the line between curator and artist, Nancy builds a work of art by combining and connecting the art by artist.
As we all strive for some normalcy in our lives and return to work, we pray for everyone’s safety and hope we use this time to lend a hand to our fellow people to help and support each other through this global crisis.
Hope you enjoy the read.
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Siddhartha Tagore
