Techno 18

A group of 18 contemporary artists showcase works of their choice at this exhibition

FOR once, here is a show that is free from the diktats of curators. Untitled-2010 is just what the name saysu00a0-- a show of untitled works by a total of 18 contemporary artists from Delhi and Baroda.


An untitled work by Vinita Dasgupta

Conceptualised by Farhad Hussain, in this show the artist, instead of being subservient to the curatorial brief, is independent. So the individual styles of the artists are all in place. The exhibition is an accumulation of various thought processes culminating into a vivid body of work.

The artists on board include Farhad Hussain, Debraj Goswami, Alok Bal, Vinod Patel, Yogesh Mahida, Jyotirmoy De, Rajesh Ram, George Martin, Buddhadev Mukherjee, Rupa Paul, Shiv Verma, Dhaneshwar Shah, M.Pravat, Sudhansu Sutar, Babu Eshawar Prasad, Murali Cheeroth, Parag K Tandel and Vinita Dasgupta.

Take for instance Vinita Dasgupta's works. The work that will be on display in this exhibition is based on
contemporary women. "The work is about a confident girl who is ready to take on the world," says Dasgupta. The theme is simple but the visual is strong. The artist has used acrylic and oil on canvas.

Farhad Hussain's characters are overtly sexual, bloated, bizarre, cunning and mischievous in an all familiar environment.

Alok Bal's works represent man's innate instinct to dominate nature. He uses irony and skill to express his fascination for and disillusionment with life in a metropolis.

Childhood memories took a different shape in Vinod Patel's works. Having grown up in Rourkela, the artist's works emerge from objects found in factories, industrial ware houses, junk yards, spare part shops, tool rooms and other such places.

Dhaneshwar Shah's works are committed to what he calls beauty of scale. "The use of perspective to focus on foreground objects stems from my admiration for the tribal miniature tradition," says the artist. Objects of everyday life, culled from his immediate surroundings, as well as a range of vibrant animal figures inhabit his canvases.

Shiv Kumar Verma uses natural materials like bronze and local mud to create sculptural works that represent human emotions and reveal shades of everyday living. His recent works are about transgenic vegetables/fruits which appear to indicate the folk elements and the interference of various external forces like science, technology etc.

Rajesh Ram's works concern the common man and his thoughts. His works talk about the pressing problems of the society like illiteracy, general socio-economic backwardness and inefficient financial management.

Sudhanshu Sutar's work is representational of his roots from Orissa and the time he spent in Delhi. Murali Cheeroot's current explorations include the architecture of the city, urbanisation and urban cultures.

Babu Eshwar Prasad derives his imagery from all kinds of visual sources, like books, films, photographs and even visits to historical sites. He tries to paint a space within a space. George Martin's works exist somewhere between objects and images. They appear as autonomous, self-contained entities, decidedly abstract. What's more, the viewer has the right to give the works his own interpretation.

At: Art Konsult, 23 Hauz Khas Village
When: August 28-September 17
timings: 11 am to 7 pm