Folk & Tribal Expressions: H.A.Anil Kumar Benchmark to the challenges in Modernist Perceptions Folk and Tribal Art (FTA) is a term evoked by the impact of Museumisation, which is in turn by and large a colonial habit. When did those ‘preserved’, began to preserve themselves before being colonized? In other words, the essence of tribal […]
Month: February 2013
Cover Story
WHAT MAKES CONTEMPORARY? : Lina Vincent Sunish The term ‘contemporary art’ should not be the sole domain of urban fine artists, but to be shared with, and extended to all the artists who are producing thoughtful art in the current times. The article would like to reflect briefly on the work of a few young […]
Essay
9/11- A Two Dimensio nal Picture Representation of contemporaneity and art of myth-making in folk art : Bipin Balachandran“Either you are with us, or against us”- was the catchphrase of America’s so called war against terrorism after the 9/11 incident. Being a prime example of manicheanism, it shows the nature of narratives we imbibe as […]
Essay
Individual and the “Other” : Rajarshi Sengupta The never-ending argument about the role of “Individual” and “Collective” in making an object of art charts into a new direction with the intersection of craft practice with the urban forms. Some of the recent themes seen in Kalamakari dyed works and paintings from Srikalahasti leaves room for […]
Feature
FOLK AND TRADITIONAL ART OF ASSAM : Dr. Meghali Goswami If art becomes a specialized vocation, the urge to deny tradition in viewing art as a totality becomes strong and often leads to a narrow-minded representation of life in a creative medium. The urge to express, communicate, and share something beautiful, gave birth to visual […]
International
“I am very nostalgic,” Chavan says. “I love the simplicity of old school living, old school life — I’m holding on to this in the face of the speed of modern Mumbai.” – Little Shilpa Rajesh Punj : Where does one begin when describing the ubiquitous work of artist, milliner, and designer Shilpa Chavan; free-spirited, […]
History
Seema Bhalla: Folk Art, for long having been rejected as Primitive Art, is an expression of complex multilevel understanding, not necessarily with any reasoning. It is an inheritance that predates the nomadic society. Though rendered in simplistic manner, the concerns of the practitioners of this form of art were more complicated than what meets the […]
History
Samit Roy:SARA PAINTINGS Of Barak Valley The circular disc made with clay painted with figures or motifs are popularly known as Saras. These are used in rural Barak Valley in connection with Pujas and sometimes connected with Vratas. The representation of Goddess Lakshmi, Durga and Radhakrishna are found popular. These are extensively made as seasonal […]
Media & Communication
Mr. H.A.Anil Kumar, a renowned art critic, art historian and contemporary curator has been awarded from Delhi Art School with the prestigious B.C.Sanyal Award for the year 2013, as the ‘Dedicated Teacher’. The details of the award are as below: * Anil Kumar is the first art critic/Art Educationist to have received the award in […]
Art & Theatre
Tanya Abraham : Folk art is the archive of histories. Be it performing or visual, art of such form is the record of traditions and cultures of yesteryears, passed down generations. If however, we look at these art forms from a post-modern view, we see that they are often subject to a certain category, often […]
Cinema
AUTO-MOBILE-ART–Sandhya Annaiah Film is perhaps the single strongest agency for the creation of a national mythology of heroism, consumerism, leisure, and sociality’ (Appadurai & Breckenridge) Shankarnag, the iconic actor, is a popular pick of the Autorickshaw drivers after his notable performance as an Autorickshaw driver in the movie ‘Auto Raja’ released in the early 80’s. […]
Photo Essay
Partha Seal Theatre: I’ve been tired of performing on stage for vacant halls. It seems people are fed up of drama may be because they have too much of it in their lives. Or is it they seek entertainment and do not want true stories to be told through dramaturgy! Oh, the times they are […]
Review
Reviving the forgotten aesthetics of Kalighat painting in a contemporary language – Dinesh Khemani Kalam Patua’s recent exhibition at Gallery Espace is varied and striking. A simple postmaster by profession, underneath there beats the heart of a true artist. His works range from humble depictions and aspirations of rural life, to satirizing the sudden emergence […]
Review
Surekha Ragi.net – Post Oil City- Bangalore Gardens Reloaded – R Dhanya To the left of a life size replica of Wright brothers’ first ever airplane, a small enclosure opens to the science museum visitors with a lawn of ragi (millet) growing out of computer keyboards. Dark, chocolaty mud sits in the unfamiliar space between […]
Review
Annual Art Exhibition, 2013 The Indian Institute of fine art, Silchar – Dr. Meghali Goswami We have seen how children are deeply involved in art. But beyond what we feel and believe, there is much honest information about why art is important in our children’s development; that is both interesting and helpful to know. Creating […]
Review
FRIDAY FLEA MARKET an artist’s impression of this inspiration. – Kruti Mukherjee ‘REMEMBERING THE OLD DAYS – SHUKRAWAR INHERITANCE & INFLUENCE’ at Sarjan Art Gallery Baroda was an exhibition of works done by artists using materials collected from the ‘FRIDAY FLEA MARKET’. This exhibition was an effort to revive the rich historical past and bridging […]
Editorial
The term folk and tribal art are products of a colonial regime where the sudden need of preserving the non-mainstream was realised. Folk and tribal art has always been perceived as art created only for a specific audience, reflecting a world-view held by a particular group and not something that could be universal and spontaneous. […]
Cover Story
Kathakari by SidharthI have known Sidharth now for maybe fifteen years. We were first introduced by Manjit Bawa and funnily enough, the reason for engagement then was our common love for food. Three of us love to cook and eat. Since then I have begun to understand both his life and his art. I consciously […]
SPECIAL FEATURE
AN ENCHANTER’S WAND: PARESH MAITY’S VENICE“I travel all over the world and sometimes the same place offers many things to me. I have travelled to Venice many times over the past 20 years-and every time it is an intoxicating moment. My photographs capture the perfect symmetry of sight, sound and scent. I have always liked […]
SPECIAL FEATURE
MOTIFS, PATTERNS AND POLITICSThe ART OF ANINDITA BHATTACHARYAThough what strikes us visually is the referentiality towards the miniature tradition, Anindita Bhattacharya’s works need to be historically situated in the (post) lineage of the Baroda Narrative tradition. At the same time, her works are a personal interpretation of a collective experience woven in and around the […]
Essay
Time for a Rethink the Perils of Print PortfoliosAs much as I love a well-crafted print, and as eager as I am to add various prints to my collection, there is something deeply disturbing about the ubiquitous portfolios churned out year after year by various printmakers’ camps. Such portfolios can be good bargains for a […]
ESSAY
Contemporary Indian women artists and the re-imaging of the female bodyThe concept of body and sexuality is always being dealt in a complex and sometimes in a paradoxical manner in Indian culture. At times, it is celebrated and again it is censored. Mythification becomes an important aspect in this context, garbing the explicit and frank […]
Feature
Play for Joy of Seeing Celebration of Partha Pratim’s CreationPartha Pratim Deb need not know that there was a long tradition of thought on creative motive, in Sanskrit, comprising copious discourses on Leela as the prime mover in creativity, or better, the creative activity. Leela is the no-win-no-loss game that the divine creator plays, resulting […]
International
ONE on one with a renowned performance artist Nikhil chopraArt&Deal: When I consider your performative work I think of your desire to engage very directly with the viewer and draw them out of their comfort zone and into your theatrical world. Are you seeking to envelope people with your performances? Nikhil Chopra: Yes, to surround […]
Amit Mukhopadhyay’s Column
DIALOGUE 2013 I am an Aristotolean fanboy. PHILIA-1 Athis: Hi, Neel, why you are silent today ? You seem to be lost in thought, anything in particular bothering you? Neel: Well yes, but I am not sure how to tell you? Athis and Neel walked with short steps, content and sad, haunted by a sweet […]
Film
Role of Period Cinema in Romancing the Luxury of PastAs each era unfolds and becomes part of history, very often almost every thing that defines it is forgotten, leaving behind only a few traces in the form of stories or memories. The evolving values, trends and aesthetics of society create a new cultural vocabulary that […]
Report
MATI Preserving the Art & Heritage of our Times….. Management of Art Treasures of India is a trust dedicated to the promotion of India’s alternative art heritage, and be a discursive platform for its continuing journeys. It aims to be a platform for both discursive growth and value generation. The Prime focus areas are: Contemporary […]
Review
Infinity’s “LIGHT n SHADOW”: where reality merges with metaphors- Sayan Dey At a time when creative minds around the globe are trying to explore life beyond cramped quarters of grand narratives and points where metaphors and reality co-exist, five young photo clickers from the furthest most river valley in Assam have also engaged themselves to […]
Editorial
Art is life. Art cannot be separated from life. There is an inextricable relationship between art and life. All that we experience is transmitted onto an image, stirring the innermost emotions that lay dormant inside us as humans. The relationship between the viewer and the image projected is a very intimate and personal one especially […]