The back was resilient and forgiving of incessant intense caregiving over two decades back. Turn the clock to today and the cumulative stress and toll manifest. I have tried to shut down and off from mainstream. Not possible. So my karma dangles art in my face. Reading the signals and stepping in line is the best way forward. It is what it is.
Art Itch!
THERE is no way that my window to visiting art is going to pause. I am itching to go yet the guilt trip kicks in. Paradoxically, when finally I can and am a master of my own will, the hangover of the home-bound embargo lasts. I end up surrendering to the greater love and pick my weary bones up and go. The best part is I now relish it even more, the energy of living.
It’s life at its very basic, the circle that kicks in to catch up with your umbilical roots. In the vicinity, there is Oorja at Tao smiling at you. The artist Jayesh has a gigantic shiny teddy installed at Palladium. The touch interactive artworks at the beautiful gallery talk to you. It is a good way for a child to be introduced to the world of visual art.
Close by at Art & Soul is Satish Gupta at his Zen best. His artworks at Snowball have been reassembled at Art & Soul Gallery with the larger formats unable to fit in.
Bandora
BUT the best part was the walk to the neighbourhood Pioneer Hall. “Reclamation” yielded the best of local flavour and stories in its old-world charm. These are narratives of an age fallen by unplanned development.
Shormistha Mukherjee, known for her documentation of houses of Bandra, had exhibits of documents, showing the native activism to retain the precious gaothan, down the century. The happy vibe of music brought the show to a close. Joe and his sax were part of it in his trademark Fedora! The sheets of typewritten prose and voices subtly relayed what you hear the OGs lament wistfully about. The Queen of Suburbs isn’t a patch of those good ole days that the raconteur brings to life.
Up and About
THE essential To Do list took me to Art & Charlie at Pali Village before the evening preview. “Will Still Remain” has multiple works by seven artists in various media ranging from photography. They depict the resilience of people and the evolving nature that we need to nurture. The gallery was spatially divided to provide for each artist to stand out. The fishing ecosystems were like a flashback of the exhibition at Pioneer Hall. Vikrant Bhise’s Dalit Panther’s is neatly put in the present context. I had last viewed these works at Experimenter Colaba. Rahul Kumar puts together a meaningful curation in the space that retains the charm of an era that is fast losing out.
On till Dec 1, 2024.
THERE is Pune-based artist Madhuri Bhaduri’s exhibition coming up at Cymrosa to be inaugurated by Pheroza Godrej and Ayesha Taleyarkhan’s digital photography art on October 28. It’s the gallery that used to take us to Breach Candy when Pundole was an art gallery at Fountain and Chemould was nestled at Hirji at Jehangir Art Gallery.
A slew of shows to catch up on. Till then, hang in there. And make each day count!
Coconut Boy celebrates its 1st year in the city. The restaurant has brought Goan F&B with its traditional warmth on a platter.
Life and Legacy of Rajendrasing Choudhari (1931-2021)
I got lucky. My subconscious search yielded textile gold in the rich tradition of Ahmedabad. The closing walkthrough of Rajen’s ‘A Weaver of Magic’ led by Mortimer and Fakira. You instantly fall in love with the early miniature weaves to the later subtly shimmery tapestries spanning 60 years of his 90. His larger bodies of work would have been commissioned by hotels, some yet to be archived. You view his skill, process, and persona as he inserted say skein or Bamboo twigs in the main frame of work. His ‘WeaveLab’ and the joy of teaching have nourished many.
The artist continued to work, lucidly through Alzheimer’s in his later years. Malavi Chandhavi handed me a postcard with Rajen’s words, “Tum kalakaar ho, laparwahi karna mhat, sahi jagah par, sahi rang bharna mhat.” Fascinating how the right side of his brain, muscle memory, and cheery disposition enabled his craft. Jay Kakani shared how the genial artist just couldn’t stay still and the world of Art is grateful for this.