From the ‘Concerns’ Desk ... January 2008

Happy New Year 2008.

On 1st January, every year, waking up late (after partying hard on the New Year Eve) with hazy brains and bleary eyes, we remain in the bed for a few minutes taking stock of the year that has just gone by. Resolutions for the New Year are taken then and there (and we know we are going to break them one by one). Then with a smile we get up from the bed and step into the old sandals with renewed hopes. We are all going to be good boys and girls.

Generally speaking, the year 2007 was good for the contemporary art scene in India. Many artists found their rates going high in the international auctions. Many have found themselves in limelight with their solos in national and international forums. Several other youngsters found their place amongst good group shows. Speculations and data based studies say that the upswing is going to remain there for many more years to come.

Galleries are in an expansion mode. Espace Gallery, New Delhi added a level two to the existing space. Anant Art Gallery, New Delhi found a new space in Laddo Sarai. Gallery Threshold is on its way to set up its new space in Laddo Sarai. Viart Gallery, New Delhi, after trying out several other spaces found a permanent structure near New Friends Colony. In Mumbai Bodhi established its new Bodhi Space at Wadibunder. Chatterjee and Lal gallery has opened its gallery near Kamal Mansions. Aditya Ruia’s Bombay Art Gallery will have a permanent space in the same building as Chatterjee and Lal. The Guild will also move to the same building in three months time. In Kochi Gallery OED is opened at the old IMA building. Sakshi Gallery is going to have shows in Kochi. In Trivandrum three new galleries have come up namely Triva Gallery, Gallery Vama and Gallery 360.

More galleries mean more space for more artists. As the demand-supply ratio in Indian contemporary art market is still not leveled out, the upcoming spaces will try to pump in more works of art into the market through regular shows. However, we should be aware of one thing: the expansionist mode of the cash rich galleries might turn detrimental to the interests of the small galleries that generally promote the new and upcoming artists. Once the big galleries expand their spaces, they would be able to accommodate the newer artists picked up from the smaller galleries. And going by the western experience, the bigger galleries in India too have started asking their artists to stick to one or two galleries and restrict their works from being shown in group exhibitions. Considering the changing complexion of the market, the artists too would find it conducive to stick to the big galleries that would promote, exhibit and present them in international exhibitions and auctions.

I am not against the big galleries. But as an observer of the scene, I would say that the regional galleries as well as the not-so-big galleries should find some feasible ways to work together by collaborating in shows and sharing the artists. Being insular to each other would end up in downing the shutters thanks to regular artists-drain from their kitties. Similarly, the bigger galleries should take a benevolent attitude towards the smaller galleries that promote younger artists, by making some satisfactory business arrangements.

Acquire, merge or collaborate is the corporate mantra. While acquire and merge still remain unnatural possibilities, many galleries (the big ones) have already started ‘collaborating’ in their exhibitions and profit sharing. The smaller galleries, generally working with small time interests, also should realize the need for collaboration and should work for long term aesthetic and business interests.

Let us work together with a positive attitude for the betterment of the Indian contemporary art. And let us hope the year 2008 is going to be a great one for all of us.

The New Year issue of www.artconcerns.com has, as usual, very illuminating stories from all over the art centers in India and elsewhere. I hope you enjoy reading them all.

Once again, wish you a great 2008.

Yours truly,

JohnyML

johnyml@gmail.com