From the ‘Concerns’ Desk ... December 2006

In the novel ‘1984’ George Orwell portrays a scene in which the protagonists Winston Smith and Julia get into an attic to share a quick kiss. They cannot do it out there in the open because the ‘Big Brother’ is on a constant surveillance.

The artists in Delhi, for the time being have become Smiths and Julias. The sealing drive by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi under the ruling of the Supreme Court, has now reached the door steps of the artists. Reason: creating art is a commercial activity so it cannot happen in the residential areas. Ironically, Delhi cannot boast of having too many community studios to accommodate city’s artists.

Is art a commercial activity? The answer is ambiguous. Of course, art generates funds for the artists and those who play in the art market. However, creating art cannot be considered as a commercial activity. Commerce is a part of its mediation. It is felt that the government should rethink on such drives that encroach into the creative privacy of the artists, especially during a period when Indian contemporary art is going places and the artists and related people have proved the ‘best tax payers.’

In this edition of www.artconcerns.com, apart from the exciting materials, we bring forward a new section called ‘Spring Board’. This section is meant for the young and aspiring artists of India. We present them one by one without attempting on any kind of judgment. The judgment and appreciation should come from the curators, critics, gallerists, art collectors and related entrepreneurs. This is just an open platform with a quality checking device in place.

Once again seeking support and best wishes from all of you,

Yours,

JohnyML

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