The sixth edition of India Art Fair is the first major activity post trend-setter Christie’s auction. To make it special, European galleries are bringing museum-level work while Chinese curators and collectors are making their first appearance in India. Founder Neha Kirpal spoke to Karan Bhardwaj
As the first ever auction by Christie’s in India concluded with record breaking sales, the sensex of Indian art market got the much needed impetus. The trickle down effect is likely to be be seen at India Art Fair. “Definitely, there is a new sense of confidence. We have seen Christie’s auction as a great evident of opening up of the market. The defining moment has arrived. Another thing that the auction proved is that there is high transactional art potential in this country. It inspires confidence at many level, both among buyers and sellers. There was a lot of pre-publicity hype around the auction,” says Neha Kirpal, founder of India Art Fair. In its sixth edition, the art extravaganza has exciting mix of domestic and international players.
The speaker’s forum lists include prestigious names like Homi Bhabha, internationally acclaimed artists Bharti Kher, Jitish Kallat, Dayanita Singh; director of london’s Tate Modern, Chris Dercon; president of Palais de Tokyo, Jean de loisy and curator Geeta Kapoor. Artist Dayanita Singh will present excerpts from her critically acclaimed File Room series, which has been shown last year at the Venice Biennale and the Hayward Gallery, london.
A major addition includes listen Up! — a public sound art project and a city-wide installation to make sound art publicly accessible through cellular phones. “Every year, we include some new trend in our focus. Sound art is evolving and is pretty much accessible and commercially viable. It’s a portable medium. India is rich in sounds but they are taken for granted. We are acknowledging it now and it is engaging. There is interest in young buyers,” Kirpal.
Another highlight includes a multi-arts installation Tears of Portugal encompassing video, photography and performance, by Jose Garcia Miguel (Perve Galeria, Portugal).
Kirpal realises the larger responsibility this year as Art Fair kicks the first major activity in the country. “This is the crucial moment since market is evolving. We feel more responsible. We should be able to produce desired results in terms of creating awareness, sales and exchange of knowledge. We are putting the best foot forward. We have made focus on collector basis, galleries, booth, presentations. The idea is to put forth quality work that meets global standards of excellence,” she says.
While many renowned galleries are returning to India, there is a new line up ready. More interestingly, a group of Chinese collectors will take part for the first time, which may open the larger neighbouring markets. “We should be able to capitalise on that. It is a significant step to call Chinese experts and expose them to the booming Indian markets. There are 22 curators, collectors and museum representatives coming up,” shares Kirpal.
In the last editions, the art fair’s aggregate sales stands close to Rs 400 crore. The figure is expected to touch Rs 500 crore this year. “However, the focus is not on transactions but based on engagement too. We have 16 school groups coming in, as part of our objective to reach out to youth, bringing more quality buyers from around the country,” she says.
The organisers have also tied up with two major museums, the Mark Rothko Centre in Daugavpils, latvia and the Himalayas Art Museum, Shanghai. For the first time, Nirav Modi will also put up jewellery collection. “Most prestigious art fairs across the globe have jewellery exhibitions. We are doing it for the first time. The jeweller himself is a big art collector and will showcase a blend of design and art,” Kirpal said.
Despite the success of the fair in Capital, the organisers have not moved on to other cities. “Country cannot afford to have another art fair of this scale. The market is not big enough to have several art fairs in cities. This is a national fair and eminent artists, curators and exhibitors throng the city for that reason,” says the founder adding that government has not waken up to the expectations so far. “Only words, no action from them,” concludes Kirpal.