Logging into the art world

Art has always emerged victorious in challenging times because of its power to offer hope And now even if you have no gallery or museum to go to technology has ensured that they come to you Launched in 2011 Google Arts amp Culture GAC is an online platform that enables you to view over 32000 artworks for free It also makes browsing across museums convenient with curated lists that enable you explore by artists mediums and art movements categories We gave the website a workout and these are our best five picksLog on to artsandculturegooglecomBack to BombayTasneem MehtaDr Bhau Daji Lad Museum was the first museum in Mumbai to partner with GAC in 2016 It has a unique educational value through its feature to connect objects with similar histories from across the world says Tasneem Mehta honorary director and managing trustee of the museum The online exhibits offered by the museum comprise stories based on their permanent collections including rare books on Indian textiles and clothing from the 19th to early 20th century such as Women of India and Peoples of Bombay by O Rothfeld illustrated by Rao Bahadur MV Dhurandhar Mehta adds Given the fact that museums across the world have shut their doors in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus it is important that they continue to function online to stay relevant to audiences of all ages The increase in the BDL Museums online traffic has proven that people are turning to art for solace and inspirationFinding FridaMexican painter Frida Kahlo wrote and drew in her diary The book by Museo Dolores Olmedo offers a chronological look at her personal and artistic life shymdash from the way she defined colours and her experience of polio to her love for Diego Rivera and her pets Here you can spot her wellknown quote Feet what do I need you for if I have wings to flyGlobal relationsArt works from CSMVS on the website PicsGoogle Arts amp According to Sabyasachi Mukherjee director general of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya CSMVS the most important features of GAC are an extraordinary editorial team for content development and its outstanding presentation style On the website you get to explore a special presentation of the landmark exhibition India and the World A History in Nine Stories that was a collaboration between CSMVS the British Museum in London and Delhis National Museum with detailed notes on each object Mukherjee hopes that the platform is used more extensively as a means for creating art awareness and art therapySabyasachi MukherjeeThe Polish connection in IndiaThe Balachadi settlements orchestra 19421946Polish History Museums exhibition Passage to India depicts the formation of a special union during World War 2 After the Polish were deported deep into the erstwhile USSR over 40000 people were evacuated to Iran Out of this 6000 took refuge in India See how they found a home in Gujarats Balachadi and Valivade near KolhapurA 360degree view of Van GoghStep into one of the worlds mostvisited museums that houses the largest collection of Vincent van Goghs works on your screen The website enables you to view the space floorwise and you can zoom into his works too Theres a caption for each piece that you pass by too Also check out an online exhibit titled Which books did Vincent van Gogh read that adds more insight into his lifeCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates