The India Art Summit

  This Sunday,I got to see the contemporary and modern art of India, courtesy The India Art Summit. I actually thought Mama's paintings are to be displayed there too, so got excited to see the summit. But unfortunately, he never participated.

   

    More than Bawa and me, Mama was more excited to show us the modern art, or the so called modern art. It was such a surprise that every body knew him there. All artists (big and small), their children and gallery owners knew him.Much more surprising was the fact that some artists, whose work was on display, were his students. It feels so proud to have him with us, feels blessed actually. He introduced us to everyone, saying this is the new generation, and he wanted to show us what it is all about. 

  Art is the way you put your imagination on paper or any material. Art is something you know about yourself and then the people know about you. Art is finding sense in non sense. Art is supposed to be for everyone,isnt it? India Art Summit surely told me this, today's Art is for a class of society, the super rich class. Mama actually made us clear of that before taking us there. It felt so different to actually graduate from that school level to this level, because it is really something bigger. This Art Summit had the best galleries from everywhere, best paintings, best frames and best PRICE TAGS put into them. So, it is commercial Art Summit, I suppose.

 
   Before visiting, I actually had a picture of those steel sprouts at AIIMS flyover. I remember it was being called as modern art when they were being placed there. So naturally, if that CRAP at AIIMS flyover is modern art, I expected to see more of them at the summit. At the entry, my expectation was proven right. A rickshaw with pitchers!! Oh Damn it was such an eye sore. But fortunately, on the left side, expectations of more eye sores vanished.Because, there stood a Tata Nano decorated with tiles. It was quite colorful, depicting Indianism on it. Even the seats were decorated with glimpses of Indian culture.The best part was its number plate-"STOP! Indians Ahead".

  Inside, it was amazing to find that there were people, so many people, Indians and foreigners alike. Young people, old people, couples (duh), cameramen, press and of course, Art. There were digital prints, sketches, photographs, statues, paintings, and some machinery Art (no word for it). It was so nice to see how people think and give a shape to it. I saw all possible colors that we can imagine, and even beyond it. Some were so fantastic, others absolutely dreadful. The red rope like structure, a big plate with utensils over it, that big headed girl, ABCD-made-spiderman-look-alike etc were seriously a pain to watch. And so many artists drew nude females, i dont know whats up with them!!

  Drawings and paintings are the best art forms. I always drew things myself, so I know how it feels to give shape to your thoughts on paper. And to be complimented for that, is heaven. And most importantly, Mama being an Artist is the best thing. Everyone at my home can draw and paint beautifully so I think its a heredity in us. Anyway, coming back to IAS's paintings, they were wonderful. Especially those that depicted grief and sorrow,, animals, birds, skyscrapers, weather, sun, old magazine covers etc.

It was a treat to be there and see the stuff. But actually, that Art was not for the common people to see. Only the riches created it, sold it, bought it and watched it too. So, the objective of this summit is still not clear to me. Art Showcase/promotion or Business ??? What was the aim actually? To show how Indian's are coping up with contemporary art? How to make huge money through art? How Modern Art looks like? Or What? Look at the price tags.Some works did not even deserved lakhs of rupees and yet were tagged as if it was nothing. Moreover, the divide in the society was visible. It was not for ordinary people, and that was clear enough. Only for the rich, and some lucky ones like me, got the chance to see, THE ART.

   I am not being negative,just being a simple observer. Those paintings by M.F.Hussain were just too beautiful.. And damn you suckers Shiv Sena and RSS, you parties are old asses trying to climb up hills like you used to do in younger days. It was great not to have your presence on the summit. And the best stall was where a hindu ,muslim, christian stood side by side along with tombs and some religious clothing. And the tag line written below those statues "BECAUSE OF SO MANY GODS, WE BECAME STREET DOGS". Now that is the truth, the reality and that is ART. What an experience, just enjoyed India Art Summit 2011.

   Wish I could have stayed there long enough, as this detail covers near about 80% of what I could watch. It was 5 o clock already so we had to hush up things and leave. I hope I did not miss something awesome.