7 ongoing art initiatives that promise to give you your culture fix for the season

In another universe, we would be soaking in European art or visiting galleries and museums around the world during this time of the year. But 2020 is an anomaly. Even so, being locked inside our homes does not mean that culture needs to be cancelled. In fact, as art connoisseurs look for ways to pursue their passion from within their four walls, several shows and events have now gone online. After all, we live in a virtual world now. Vogue brings you an art round-up worth bookmarking.

FRESH by Vadehra Art Gallery

The New Delhi-based gallery has moved online with digital presentations to support young artists, with part proceeds from the exhibition going to the Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR) to aid their COVID-19 relief initiatives. Their current online exhibition showcases the new work of Baroda-based artist Shrimanti Saha. Titled ‘Fire in the Greenhouse and Other Stories’, it explores the common thread of references between ecology, feminism and human-animal relationships to craft stories around the creation of dystopian landscapes and fictional civilisations.

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We Are Always Working’ by Waswo X Waswo at Gallery Latitude 28

American-born photographer Waswo X Waswo’s solo exhibition ‘We Are Always Working’ in collaboration with Rajasthani miniaturist Rajesh Soni and traditional terracotta sculptor Shyam Lal Kumhar is part-portraiture and part-spoof. It references the artist’s own process and quasi-diorama photo-studio sets while also engaging in a wider philosophical discourse on his methods. This is New Delhi-based Latitude 28’s first pandemic exhibition, and can be viewed both online and in-person until 28 September.  

Future Is Not Fixed by Arjun Sawhney, presented by Nature Morte and Vadehra Art Gallery

Arjun Sawhney curates an online art exhibit with the works of 24 artists as they reflect on the unprecedented times we live in now. These artistic renditions are by some of the most celebrated names in the industry including Bharti Kher, Subodh Gupta, Thukral & Tagra, Dhruvi Acharya, Anju Dodiya, Gigi Scaria, Jitish Kallat, Riyas Komu and more. The exhibit is jointly presented by Nature Morte and Vadehra Art Gallery on their respective websites, and can be viewed until September 20.

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TAP India

This new collective platform, launched on September 2, is about blurring the boundaries between artists, galleries, and collectors to showcase the best in the art world. For the launch, they have brought together 14 Indian galleries like Anant Art, Latitude 28, Gallery Art.Motif and Gallery Threshold among others to support and collaborate on this venture to make Indian art accessible during the pandemic. Also look out for their calendar of virtual exhibitions, curated online events and insider tips for collectors.

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The Lockdown Canvas by Emami Art

The reality of our current world, but through an artist’s eye—this is just what Emami Art’s latest showcase is about. Eight of the Kolkata-based gallery’s represented artists like Jogen Chowdhury, Arunima Choudhury, Anjan Modak, Anwar Chitrakar, Partha Pratim Dey and Soma Das interpret the world we are live in. Emami Art also has another ongoing exhibition—‘Bengal Masters: A Tribute’—till the end of this month. This selection focuses on master artists from Bengal, and zooms in on their distinctive style and artistic vocabulary.

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Art Yatra by Fearless Collective

Multi-disciplinary artist Shilo Shiv Suleiman’s non-profit organisation Fearless Collective embarks on an Art Yatra to emphasise how street art can be a voice for social change. The yatra’s maiden Bengaluru leg has Suleiman working with street cleaners to highlight the importance of waste segregation during a pandemic. She then travels to Jaipur and Lucknow to create a mural advocating LGBTQ rights in the two cities; thus creating community-based work for everyone to witness.

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Four Positions at Experimenter - Ballygunge Place

Art galleries in the time of COVID-19? A visit will involve social distancing, face masks and prior appointments. So if virtual tours just don’t cut it for you, then Kolkata’s Experimenter - Ballygunge Place is displaying four solo positions till the end of this month. Luckily, their layout allows for viewing these disparate exhibitions individually as well as together. What’s in store? Ayesha Sultana’s ‘Pulse’, Julien Segard’s ‘Dark Was The Night’, Krishna Reddy’s ‘In Search of Simultaneity’ and Rathin Barman’s ‘Dimensional Distortion’.

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Also read:

8 art and fashion initiatives born under lockdown that you need to check out

After the coronavirus crisis, will culture ever be the same again?