Dubai Art Fair

By Nikita Peer 
Photography: Courtesy the galleries

The Joy of Ahimsa, Takhat Vilas, Mehrangarh Fort Palace, Jodhpur.

Only 3 Indian art galleries participated in the Dubai Art Fair 2013(DAF). ‘Exceeding their expectations’, some claim to have ‘returned with empty crates’, citing a huge interest in Indian art from across the world... 

While Exhibit320 is about new media contemporary Indian art, serenading out-of-box thinking; Tasveer Arts focuses on the Indian connect showcasing a wide range from rare vintage to contemporary art photography; and Experimenter deals with artistic oeuvres in re-evaluating pre-determined notions and highlighting the futility of utopian ideologies. Three niche, strong approaches via art.

 

Sachin George Sebastian’s Paper Art

Sachin George Sebastian’s Paper Art

According to Rasika Kajaria, Director, Exhibit320, an artist who is able to think from a local context with a focus on global perspectives can be a hit. “Broadly, Indian art is a hit in the international market. From Saatchi’s private collection to MoMa Museums, we are able to place our artists in very good collections not only within our Indian collector base but also internationally,” she informs. Abhishek Poddar of Tasveer Art believes that people collect good art because they recognize it and not because it is related to their country of origin.

 

At DAF, Exhibit320 showcased Sachin George Sebastian’s work, which expresses his shift from a small town to metropolis. They also showcased Vibha Galhotra’s Urbis-Unum (meaning one world) – an installation depicting several white flags for all the nations in the world, symbolizing no boundaries; hoping to bring the world under a banner of unity and equality. 

Waiting for Atman, Junargarh Fort, Bikaner

The Sound of Rain, The Cloud Room, Junargarh Fort, Bikaner

Tasveer Art showcased European photographer Karen Knorr, whose work includes conceptual documentary photography as also the opulent interiors of India’s heritage buildings and palaces.

Detail of installation, Orbis Unum, 2012

Installation View, Orbis Unum, 2012

Experimenter exhibited a broad range of contemporary practice. Like others, for Prateek Raja of Experimenter, DAF also meant new connections, new collectors, new relationships and meaningful long term dialogues. “It is much more than a fair. It's an entry point into a region that allows our artists to be seen by a larger audience and thereby builds their careers,” Raja signs off.