State of the Art

The Saffronart Blog

Month: June 2013

‘Move on Asia’ – Video Art From Asia 2002 – 2012

June 23, 2013

Emily Jane Cushing suggests the ‘Move on Asia’ exhibition of Asian video art from 2002 to 2012.

London: The ZKM | Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe, Germany opened on February 9th their exhibition which shows the development of the video art genre and the increasing importance of Asia in contemporary art; the exhibition runs until August 4th 2013.

Meiro Koizumi: „My Voice Would Reach You“ (2009). Video still; Image Credit: http://regator.com/p/259249425/move_on_asia_video_art_in_asia_2002/

Meiro Koizumi: „My Voice Would Reach You“ (2009). Video still; Image Credit: http://regator.com/p/259249425/move_on_asia_video_art_in_asia_2002/

The increased interest in Asian arts resulted in the 2007 exhibition at the ZKM | Karlsruhe  curated by Wonil Rhee entitled “Thermocline of Art. New Asian Waves”. This exhibition was hugely successful in attracting world-wide attention to the Asiatic ‘moving image’; despite being only six years prior and fifty years since the emergence of video art, the need for a follow on exhibition showing the huge development in this genre is needed.

It is noted that as an art genre video art has continually been associated with the West despite much of the technology originating in Asia. This exhibition proves that over the last couple of decades the culture of video art has gained greater independence from Western models by showing at biennale’s and art exhibitions across the world.

The vast exhibition, containing over 140 works, is made up of works from video artists originating from thirteen Asiatic countries including China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. In addition to the showing of established artists, recent works by new artists are also shown.

The exhibition displays a wide range of Indian art; Indian artists showing are Vishal K. Dar, Chitra Ganesh, Shilpa Gupta, Tushar Joag, Shakuntala Kulkarni, Nalini Malani, Pushpamala N., Sharmila Samant, Tejal Shah, Valay Shende, Shine Shivan and Thukral & Tagra.

“40+4. Art is "Not Enough! Not Enough" Image Credit, http://vimeo.com/48543105

“40+4. Art is Not Enough! Not Enough” Image Credit, http://vimeo.com/48543105

An interactive installation entitled “Global Fire” by the Paris-based artist Du Zhenjun may also be viewed in connection with the exhibition. “Global Fire” is a large inflatable dome in which the visitors may ignite the flags of 200 countries with lighters on heat censors. Also on show in the ZKM_PanoramaLab is the interactive video installation “40+4. Art is Not Enough! Not Enough” in which forty Shanghai based artists are interviewed about their works and asked to question their art in relation to the environment and the social impact of their artistic production. This installation resulting from the collaboration between the curator Davide Quadrio, the filmmaker Lothar Spree as well as the video artist Xiaowen Zhu is truly insightful and fascinating.

“Global Fire” by the Paris-based artist Du Zhenjun, Image Credit; http://duzhenjun.com/installations/global-fire/

“Global Fire” by the Paris-based artist Du Zhenjun, Image Credit; http://duzhenjun.com/installations/global-fire/

This exhibition runs until 4th August 2013; view the website for more details on this exciting exhibition.

Also, for those wishing to read more about Indian video art, I have found a really interesting article from Tehelka Magazine with Pakistani artist Bani Abidi discussing Indian Video art and it’s increased popularity here; it’s a great read!


Raqib Shaw: Prague Bound

June 22, 2013

Shradha Ramesh unveils Raqib Shaw’s first exhibit at Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague

Whimsy Beastie/BUSHVAMPS I, Raqib Shaw, 2012

Whimsy Beastie/BUSHVAMPS I, Raqib Shaw, 2012. Image Credit: http://www.galerierudolfinum.cz/en/exhibition/raqib-shaw#fotogalerie

New York: Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague is currently exhibiting a selection of Raqib Shaw’s recent works.

His array of works ranges from intricate bejewelled paintings on canvas to painted bronzes. Different kinds of medium and diverse themes intermingle together to create multi-layered works. These merge together traditional sensibility through their medium and modernity through their composition and theme.

Born in Calcutta, the London based artist’s work is a convergence between these worlds.

Raqib Shaw creates a surreal juxtaposition of mythical forms against metaphysical spaces set in a dreamy atmosphere. The characters populating his works are half-human, half-animal and they live only according to their instinct.  The background of his paintings, contrasts this surreal atmosphere showing nuances of Oriental motifs as well as Greco-Roman thematic influences.

Absence of God III...And His Tears of Blood Will Drown the Cities of Men, Raqib Shaw, 2008

Absence of God III…And His Tears of Blood Will Drown the Cities of Men, Raqib Shaw, 2008. Image Credit: http://www.galerierudolfinum.cz/files/sorl_cache/27/4b/274b7eda982ded815c2def2ad94196b0.jpg

Below you can enjoy Galerie Rudolfinum’ s videotrailer on Shaw’s show.

Raqib Shaw’s works are on exhibit until September 15th 2013. To learn more about the exhibition click here.

Chitra Ganesh’s Residency at Bose Pacia, New York

June 21, 2013

Kanika Pruthi of Saffronart discusses Chitra Ganesh’s fantastical works in light of her ongoing artist residency at Bose Pacia in New York City

Secrets, Chitra Ganesh, 2007

Secrets, Chitra Ganesh, 2007. Image Credit: http://www.chitraganesh.com/dc6.html

NEW YORK: Brooklyn based artist of Indian origin, Chitra Ganesh is the current artist- in residence at Bose Pacia in New York City as part of their Transparent Studio initiative, showing her works from June 18th to July 16th, 2013.

The Transparent Studio is an artist studio program founded by Bose Pacia where the selected artists are provided with a studio space in the main gallery. The intention of turning the transitional gallery space into a temporary artist studio is to enable an atmosphere of engagement and conversation around the creative process, allowing an opportunity to engage with the artist is the given set up.

Chitra Ganesh received her BA in Comparative Literature and Art Semiotics in 1996 and her MFA from Columbia University in 2002. Ganesh’s work has been exhibited widely at venues including PS 1/MOMA, Brooklyn Museum, the Asia Society, and the Andy Warhol Museum, Fondazione Sandretto in Italy, Nature Morte Berlin, ZKM in Germany, and the Gothenburg Kunsthalle.

Ganesh’s art and practice draws equally from her Indian roots as from her engagement with contemporary discourses regarding identity, the feminine, history and such. An adept multimedia artist, her works range from text based canvases, illustrations, prints, installations and collaborative projects. Her visual oeuvre serves a concoction of mythology, folklore, sci-fi, Indian bollywood, graffiti- drawn from her international experiences- a heady mix nonetheless a stimulating portion for a discerning connoisseurs’ palette .

The female protagonist is central to Ganesh’s work, reminiscent of the male super heroes of the comic book traditions. The ‘heroine’ often takes on the garb of the superhero- challenging and questioning societal norms and beliefs. The artist’s narrative is fuelled by her efforts to challenge the established canons- of history, literature, art, culture. The super ‘heroine’ of Ganesh’s works gives voice to the excluded narratives which are often relegated to the periphery of the ‘popular’ and ‘accepted’.

A consistent element of Ganesh’s visuality is her adaptation of the comic book layout in her works. An important point of reference is the Indian Amar Chitra Katha comic series that the artist encountered early in her life. They present religious and cultural narratives based on Hindu mythology and Indian history. She combines these with her interest in Greek mythology, western fairy tales and fantasy literature. She skillfully adapts the popular comic book format to her large scale works. Her use of the comic script as a trope to infuse the otherwise playful visual with an intent and relevant narrative is one of the many high points of her practice.

The humor and lightness of the visual elements balance the weighty discourses she handles in her practice. The blown-up and larger than life scale of her works also references the multiple points of entry and focus. She uses the busy and sometimes overwhelming imagery to give material form to an abstract concept- which through this process becomes accessible to multiple viewers. The use of text in her works is an inviting point of reference which opens the eye to the fantastical landscape at view. The words interject her visual narrative, and the two elements together take the viewer on a journey that titillates multiple senses.

Bose Pacia will be hosting an open studio on 11th July 2013 where the artist will be present.

Anita Dube’s Chance Pieces

June 20, 2013

Shradha Ramesh rediscovers Anita Dube’s work through her latest exhibition at Nature Morte, Berlin

New York: Nature Morte in Berlin is currently hosting “Chance Pieces”, the first solo show by Anita Dube in Germany.

On display are sculptures, wall based pieces and text works. The exhibition creates a mellifluous translation of visual language from black and white photography to a wax candle installation. The artist’s works induce a sense of taking you to another world, the world of Dube’s memories or experiences tempered with social and mythological references.

There is a sense of smooth transitions of patterns from her photographic oeuvre to her sculpture and installation. The flamboyant media she adopts mingle with textual messaging of societal loss, transformation and regeneration.

The artist thinks art is “a form of speculation that attempts to turn people’s attention towards something.”

For me -“Woman”, a 2007 paraffin wax and wick installation, hit a poignant note; it was a simple work, yet powerful.

Nature Morte is dedicated to experimental Indian contemporary art. Other than Berlin they have two gallery spaces in India – Gurgaon and New Delhi. Peter Nagy, the founder, selects artists who challenge and experiment with new forms of art on various levels.

Anita Dube’s “Chance Pieces” is on display from June 7 – July 27, 2013. To learn more about the exhibition click here.

Little Weapons of Defense, Anita Dube, 2008

Little Weapons of Defense, Anita Dube, 2008. Image Credit: http://www.naturemorte.com/exhibitions/2013-06-07_anita-dube/selected-works/#

Gaitonde Retrospective coming to Guggenheim NY

June 19, 2013

Elizabeth Prendiville of Saffronart  announces an upcoming Gaitonde retrospective in New York.

New York: Coming next Fall (November 2014) the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City will be producing an exhibition of the late Vasudeo S. Gaitonde’s work.

This retrospective of Gaitonde is showing a new trend in the recent programming at the Guggenheim. Having just concluded a premiere retrospective of Zarina Hashimi, the Guggenheim Museum is showing modern and contemporary Indian artists more than ever.

For this upcoming retrospective, the first exhibition of the artist’s work since Saffronart’s show in 2011, Associate Curator of Asian Art, Sandhini Poddar hopes to gather forty pieces of Gaitonde’s work ranging in various mediums including oil and pencil.

These pieces will be borrowed from both private and public collections from all around the world.

Gaitonde’s work is considered non-representational and experimental and he is often referred to as India’s foremost abstractionist. However, prior to his death in 2001, the artist was quick to dismiss the term “abstract art” and preferred “non objective” to describe his subliminal imagery.

Throughout his career his work was included in premiere exhibitions, and is part of the permanent collections of institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Gaitonde was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri Award in 1971.

The Guggenheim hopes this expansive retrospective will tour to other institutions such as the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, the National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi and their international sister institution Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open in 2017.

No matter the institution, a retrospective of Gaitonde’s work is sure to offer a collection of exceptional and pivotal paintings.