Art won't wait for normalcy

With the unprecedented closure of all public spaces in response to the ongoing pandemic cultural institutions have begun to challenge the idea of traditional formats for engaging with art with several of them hosting online programmes for the world Across India and Dubai 10 galleries Chemould Prescott Road Mumbai Experimenter Kolkata Gallery Espace New Delhi Green Art Gallery Dubai Grey Noise Dubai Nature Morte New Delhi PHOTOINK New Delhi GALLERYSKE Bengaluru and New Delhi The Third Line Dubai and Vadehra Art Gallery New Delhi have collaborated to present a digital exhibition titled In Touch showcasing their ongoing works and installationsChandramohan The Heart multicolour woodprint edition of 10Shireen Gandhy director Chemould Prescott Road says Theres a certain privilege to being a gallerist for the close friendships and relationships we sharemdashwere always in conversation and ideating together which is how this platform came to life Roshini Vadehra director Vadehra Art Gallery recalls that when the lockdown was announced the art world like all other industries took time to come to terms with the new normal The obvious direction we had to take was digital with a few of us discussing the advantages of a collaboration She thinks When the art community comes together to do something patrons take notice and are more appreciative of the effort There is also a general excitement that an initiative like this creates Collectors and enthusiasts can browse through images and engage with art from the safety of their homeMadan Mahatta View of South Block Delhi pigment print 22 x 33 in 1955Prateek and Priyanka Raja directors and cofounders Experimenter believe that In Touch attempts to question existing structures and at the same time offers a way to work together We wanted to create a structure we could all adopt where each gallery would have the freedom to curate their own miniexhibitionsDesmond Lazaro Cosmos I media pigment paint on handmade paper 30 x 42 in 2020However for a quick turnaround every gallery had to work around newer logistics From our first conversations to launch date it took us two weeks to go livehellipand that is the power of a digital initiative says Vadehra with Prateek adding An incredible degree of coordination was needed in addition to keeping in mind the minute details and preferences of each gallery they have their own distinct identity which cannot be diluted There was also a strong need for adaptability cooperation collaboration and flexibility to appreciate the others point of view While one gallery would take up communication and design of the cumulative presentation another would be responsible for the website design and rolloutShireen Gandhy Mumbai galleristFor artists the effort signifies a coming together of reality and interpretation Artist Aditi Singh adds Offering connections is the realm where art excels conversing between experience perception and imaginationAditi SinghBut for many art is associated with being a spacial and immersive experience which Gandhy doesnt shy away from acknowledging This will never be the real experience but for now we need to make the best of what weve gotRoshini VadehraWhere wwwartintouchinWhen Till May 24Email infoartintouchgmailcomCarpe ArtCarpe Arte which builds communities that support Indian contemporary art has been supporting independent art practices by promoting their works on their Instagram page to reach buyers interested in collecting these works We realised that at a time like this a lot of independent art practices do not have any support or form of income and so we decided to use the access and audience we have to support these artists says founder Natasha JeyasinghInstagram carpeartofficialArt FervourArt Fervour began as a visual diarymdasha collection of the founder Nivedita Poddars favourite museums galleries and exhibits accumulated through her travels with a need to share experiences with an audience equally passionate about the arts Today the digital art directory comprising online exhibitions virtual art tours and podcasts helping everyone access the world of arts from the comfort of homeInstagram ArtfervourCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest news