State of the Art

The Saffronart Blog

Experimenter Curator’s Hub 2013

July 30, 2013

Elizabeth Prendiville of SaffronArt shares a note about the exchange of ideas at the third Experimenter Curator’s Hub

Experimenter's Curator's Hub Image credit: http://artradarjournal.com

Experimenter’s Curator’s Hub
Image credit: http://artradarjournal.com

New York: This past weekend (July 26th and 27th) Experimenter Gallery in Kolkata hosted its two day curatorial conference. The third annual Experimenter Curator’s Hub hosted ten international curators who presented on a variety of topics including how the global economy, politics and globalization create challenges for curators in the international art market. Featured curators ranged in background and came from different international institutions. Among the curators were Girish Shahane, Director of Art at the Skoda Prize for Indian Contemporary Art and Pooja Sood, Director of Khoj International Artists Association.

Experimenter's Curator's Hub Image credit: http://artradarjournal.com

Experimenter’s Curator’s Hub
Image credit: http://artradarjournal.com

By reviewing their recent work, curators will present their views on the current curatorial environment and how these outside factors influence the role of a curator in our contemporary art world. Experimenter Gallery believes that this conference could not have come at a better time and that we are at a major crossroads in the curatorial world. The creation of the Curator’s Hub in 2011 was motivated by Experimenter Gallery’s desire to create positive change in the tumultuous curatorial art scene in India.

Experimenter's Curator's Hub Image credit: http://artradarjournal.com

Experimenter’s Curator’s Hub
Image credit: http://artradarjournal.com

Prior to the event, participant Allessandro Vincentelli, Curator of Exhibtions and Research at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead commented that curatorially, art was moving away from the western viewpoint. Indeed, this conference can be seen as a major vehicle for change in the future of how art is presented in our internationally-fused art world. Vincentelli stated “I also can see plenty of new dynamics that are entirely within South Asia, East Asia and Middle East for residencies, exchanges and for models of presentation. Ones that don’t necessarily need dialogue or mediation through Europe and America”.  All of these esteemed curatorial guests are notable due to their use of contemporary ideas and utilizing new technology in their work.

Experimenter's Curator's Hub Image credit: http://artradarjournal.com

Experimenter’s Curator’s Hub
Image credit: http://artradarjournal.com

The conference concluded in a collaborative roundtable discussion with other art professionals such as artists, art writers, theorists and other curators. At this revolutionary time for art in a global economy it is essential that platforms like Curator’s Hub thrive. Overall the Experimenter Curator’s Hub was successful in its mission: to implement changes and workshop resolutions to barriers in the international curatorial scene.

The East India Company Collaborates with The National Gallery on Exclusive New Masterpieces Blends

July 30, 2013

Elisabetta Marabotto of Saffronart shares a note on the latest collaboration between The East India Company and the National Gallery

The East India Company, London

The East India Company, London

London: The East India Company, the world’s finest gourmet foods and beverages’ company, has collaborated with The National Gallery to launch an evocative ‘Delicious Art’ collection of six bespoke teas – each created with a different masterpiece from the gallery in mind as its inspiration. Among the inspirational artworks are Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers”, Monet’s “The Water-Lily Pond” and Avercamp’s “A Winter Scene with Skaters near a Castle”.

"Delicious Art", The East India Company, London

“Delicious Art”, The East India Company, London

Launching on 5 August, along with a selection of the East India Company’s mini jams, mini mustards and an afternoon tea set, these original artistic blends will be available within National Gallery shops, and the flagship East India Company store located on Conduit Street.

The East India Company, London

The East India Company, London

Lalith Lenadora, the East India Company’s tea master, spent many hours working with The National Gallery Company, and studying the paintings, in order to bring its essence to life in a blend of his finest teas, flowers and aromatics.

Along with the collaboration with the National Gallery, the East India Company is currently exhibiting works by Japanese artists to celebrate the four hundreth anniversary of Japan-British relation.

"Muses", Riusuke Fukahori

“Muses”, Riusuke Fukahori

If you are in London, I’d highly recommend immersing yourself in this enchanting culinary journey where you can appreciate art in a different way.

For more information you can visit the East India Company website.

Perspectives by Rina Banerjee

July 27, 2013

Elisabetta Marabotto of Saffronart shares a note on Rina Banerjee’s installation at the Smithsonian ‘s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery in Washington

Rina Banerjee Working on the Installation,A world Lost: after the original island, single land mass fractured, after populations migrated, after pollution revealed itself and as cultural locations once separated merged, after the splitting of Adam and Eve, Shiva and Shakti, of race black and white, of culture East and West, after animals diminished, after the seas’ corals did exterminate, after this and at last imagine all water evaporated…this after Columbus found it we lost it imagine this Rina Banerjee (b. 1963) 2013 Photo by Hutomo Wicaksono

Rina Banerjee Working on the Installation,A world Lost: after the original island, single land mass fractured, after populations migrated, after pollution revealed itself and as cultural locations once separated merged, after the splitting of Adam and Eve, Shiva and Shakti, of race black and white, of culture East and West, after animals diminished, after the seas’ corals did exterminate, after this and at last imagine all water evaporated…this after Columbus found it we lost it imagine this Rina Banerjee (b. 1963) 2013 Photo by Hutomo Wicaksono

A World Lost: after the original island, single land massfractured, after populations migrated, after pollution revealed itself and as cultural locations once separated merged, after the splitting of Adam and Eve, Shiva and Shakti, of race black and white, of culture East and West, after animals diminished, after the seas’ corals did exterminate, after this and at last imagine all water evaporated…this after Columbus found it we lost it imagine this.

London: The above sentence is the title of Rina Banerjee’s installation which is currently exhibited at the Smithsonian ‘s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery in Washington as part of the contemporary art series’ “Perspectives”.

Banerjee’s work discusses themes of migration and transformation of the people and of the world we live in drawing on her personal experience as an immigrant.

The installation is made of different kinds of materials which represent different cultures. Plastic objects, souvenirs, and organic items are merged together creating an intricate textile which reminds us of appealing yet threatening fairytale worlds.

Below you can enjoy few images of the installation.

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The installation will be on until June 2014. For more information click here.

Indian Princely Silver: A Pair of Murshidabad Plates at Saffronart

July 26, 2013

Elisabetta Marabotto shares a note on a pair of Murshidabad plates that is part of Saffronart’s upcoming Travel & Leisure Auction

Indian Princely Silver: A Pair of Murshidabad Plates, Hamilton & Co., Lot 89

Indian Princely Silver: A Pair of Murshidabad Plates, Hamilton & Co., Lot 89. Image Credit: http://www.saffronart.com/customauctions/PreWork.aspx?l=8640

London: Lying north of Kolkata on the banks of the Bhagirathi river, Murshidabad, or ‘select city’, was the last capital of Bengal under the Mughals, and was one of their most wealthy and fertile provinces. The city remained the seat of the ‘Nawab of Bengal’ under East India Company rule, even after the capital was moved to Calcutta in 1790. Until the abolition of the title in 1880, Nawabs of Bengal from the Nasiri, Afshar and Najafi Islamic dynasties ruled from Murshidabad. Following this, their descendants were known as the Nawab Bahadurs of Murshidabad.

This pair of silver plates, bearing the coat of arms of the Nawab of Murshidabad, are probably a part of the dinner service of Nawab Amir-ul-Omra, Wasef Ali Mirza Khan Bahadur (1875-1959), dating to the early twentieth century.

Nawab Wasif Ali Mirza Khan Bahadur of Murshidabad

Nawab Wasif Ali Mirza Khan Bahadur of Murshidabad. Image credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sir_Wasif_Ali_Mirza.jpg

One of the rooms at Wasef Manzil or the New Palace, built by Wasef Ali Mirza in Murshidabad

One of the rooms at Wasef Manzil or the New Palace, built by Wasef Ali Mirza in Murshidabad, with his portrait in the background. Image credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Drawing_Room_of_Wasif_Manzil.jpg

The elaborate Murshidabad coat of arms inscribed on the plates includes a shield bearing a column and crossed canons, flanked by a lion and a unicorn. Above the shield, a fish represents the Persian order of emperors, Mahi-Maratib, and is surmounted by a crown and crossed bifurcated swords. Scrolling across the bottom, the banner reads “Nil Desperandum” or “never despair”.

Indian Princely Silver: A Pair of Murshidabad Plates, Hamilton & Co., Lot 89 (detail)

Indian Princely Silver: A Pair of Murshidabad Plates, Hamilton & Co., Lot 89 (detail). Image Credit: http://www.saffronart.com/customauctions/PreWork.aspx?l=8640

The plates are also inscribed ‘Hamilton & Co.’ on the reverse. Hamilton & Co. was one of the best known British silver firms, established by Robert Hamilton in Calcutta in 1808 under license from the East India Company. Known as the ‘Garrard of India’, the firm mainly produced tableware including complete tea and dinner services in a typical pre-Raj, British-Indian style. This pair of plates is crafted of smoothly polished silver, which almost entirely substitutes decoration, and creates a simple yet fine design that highlights the gadrooned rim.

Don’t miss the opportunity to own this piece of history! The Travel & Leisure Auction will take place on the Saffronart website on 29-30 July, 2013.

Elegance Under Canvas

July 25, 2013

Shivajirao Gaekwar of Saffronart shares some information on the campaign furniture available as part of Saffronart’s upcoming Travel & Leisure Auction

An Elegant Campaign Day Bed, Lot 36

An Elegant Campaign Day Bed, Lot 36. Image Credit: http://www.saffronart.com/customauctions/PreWork.aspx?l=8587

Mumbai: Representative of a more elegant time, campaign furniture is synonymous with luxury travel, the gentleman traveller, historic military campaigns across the world in the 19th century, and the luxurious ‘shikar’ or shooting camps  of the British Raj. It’s surprising portability and light weight meant that the gentleman officers of the 19th century could take the comforts of home everywhere they went, be it the military campaigns across the Indian Empire or Africa – everything could be dismantled or folded within minutes, and would travel from camp to camp by long supply trains which would comprise of elephant, camel, bullock cart, or horses. Historically, campaign furniture has been documented as being used as early as the time of the Roman Empire, but most commonly associated with the British Empire through the Georgian, and right up to the Victorian periods (1714 – 1901). (Nicholas A. Brawer, British Campaign Furniture: Elegance Under Canvas, 1740-1914).

A Teakwood Campaign Bed, Lot 8

A Teakwood Campaign Bed, Lot 8. Image Credit: http://www.saffronart.com/customauctions/PreWork.aspx?l=8559

Theoretically, all furniture, usually made either of teak or mahogany, specifically to be dismantled into two or more sections or folded for easy transport, and designed to be packed up and carried ‘on the march’, can be described as campaign furniture. Campaign furniture is easily recognizable as it usually comes with brass corners and strap work for protection during transportation. Everything from the brass detail, hinges in odd places or ‘X-frame’ legs, all give clues to the functionality of campaign furniture (Nicholas A. Brawer, British Campaign Furniture: Elegance Under Canvas, 1740-1914).

Even today, these rare, superbly engineered pieces, with their simple, clean lines are as elegant and functional as they were for their original purpose.

A Circular Folding Campaign Table, Lot 7

A Circular Folding Campaign Table, Lot 7. Image Credit: http://www.saffronart.com/customauctions/PreWork.aspx?l=8558

You can view more examples of campaign furniture on our Travel & Leisure online catalogue.

Along with campaign furniture, other beautiful and interesting items will be available as part of the auction, scheduled to take place on the Saffronart website on 29-30 July, 2013.