Changing moods of art
Akanksha Dharmani
While the pandemic has changed many methods and things around us, have you pondered how has it changed the art around us? Many artists and designers believe that lockdown gave them a much-required break, it allowed them to experiment, incorporate innovation and new perceptions of sustainable art and use found materials.
Pune saw the incorporation of a brand new Art gallery with a restaurant called Vida Heydari Contemporary launched soon after the lockdown, an art gallery curated by the founder and director of Kochi Biennale – Bose Krishnamachari. The first show Origins of perennial bouquet showcasing contemporary art by five well-known artists such as Tanya Goel, Sudarshan Shetty, Benitha Perciyal, Sumedh Rajendra and Manish Nai. We observed the art was made with found material like charcoal, jute, mosquito net, herbs, seeds and more.
It was also noticed the art being very thought driven not just aesthetically pleasing but towards building a better eco-system. The growing trend of creating art with waste is picking up. We found many local artists like Simran Luthra founder of The Green Art Project who started creating art with waste like coke and wine bottles, pans and more.
Simran Luthra ads ‘Upcycling is the way ahead. The lockdown was a great pause that all of us needed to introspect and reflect on our lifestyle choices. I hope that the learnings and reflections from that phase don’t get lost.” She aims to promote a zero-waste lifestyle.
While the artists in figurative art created new art that depicts sorrows and the feeling of loss during the pandemic. ‘Some who did creative art during the lockdown it was all about the sufferings that were witnessed during the Pandemic and some created beautiful works on migrants,” says Smita Raje Deshpande Founder of Art Lane- Kalagoshthi, a local artist community in Pune.
In her experience, she says ‘Pune is not a very active place of art buyers. ‘’Though I can see that the perception is changing. A few feel that patronage of the art is necessary’’ We totally agree with that! After all, a revolution begins with a change in perception.”
“The quiet life helped me to go within and focus on what makes me happy. Painting and being creative is on the top of that list. I worked a lot without any disturbances and totally enjoyed it,” shares Ketaki Pimpalkhare.
She shares In the last ten years, Pune has changed a lot. Previously people here were exposed to a lot of classical music and theatre. Visual art was not garnering enough attention. Since the inception of the Pune Biennale, a lot of people are exposed to art and made aware of what contemporary art can be like. The perception towards art has changed “I think people are looking for affordable art to adorn their homes and not so much as a form of investment. On a small scale, there is a vast change in the mindset of the ordinary person. There is an appreciation for artists and their dedication to their practice. Because of being confined, a lot of people have found solace in art and have realized the importance of engaging in it.”
There has definitely been a change in spending patterns, local goods have received great love and appreciation “I have noticed people valuing and appreciating local artists, hand-done embroidery, natural fabrics and sustainable clothing is bought at fair prices and loved. The latest ‘The Renewal’ collection by Athas made with the 17th-century weave evolved during the Maratha reign has received a very warm welcome. People have started noticing local brands in Pune unlike before and that truly makes us very happy, ” says Akanksha Dharmani, founder of a clothing brand Athas.
“I think there has certainly been an increase in the buying of both art and art supplies. I visited Either Or near Jehangir Hospital once they opened up to buy a painting to brighten up a wall in my bedroom (after all we were at home staring at the same walls all day, that a change seemed in order!). Also, a regular visitor at Gaurav Enterprises in Koregaon Park, and the shop assistant confirmed that a lot more people were buying art supplies, indicating a rise in the creative impulse of people.” Simran Luthra
“I did lots and lots of art works during the period of lockdown. I kept on thinking about migration. I created some art works on this theme also with other works. Creating art is a normal practice for any artist. Although lock down period questioned everything, our existence, survival, stability, relationships and many more things.
During the lockdown she also received special invitation from Ms Rajini Rekha who runs Reves art Gallery in Bangalore for national level camp conducted online. Art works created during camp were bought by the gallery.” Says Vaishali Oak. This was one of the very kind gesture by art lovers such as Rajini to make sure that artists are being taken care of, during difficult time. Similarly Vaishali Oak also sold her art works on Facebook, to support one of her fellow artist whose art studio was badly affected because if the Nisarga cyclone.
So while the art, it’s perception, the buying trend has changed so has the community come closer than ever to support each other.
