Taking the Line for a Walk, The Phoenix Woman and more..

NEWS

Taking the line for a walk

The Jehangir Nicholson Art Foundation and The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai presents ‘Taking the Line for a Walk’. 

The Jehangir Nicholson collection will showcase 45 drawings by acclaimed artists including Tyeb Mehta, Akbar Padamsee, FN Souza, SH Raza, Laxman Shreshtha, Manjit Bawa and Sudhir Patwardhan. 

This exhibition looks at Drawing as a significant art practice - as an end product in itself.

The exhibition is on till 30th August 2014.

In an Artist’s Mind

Gallerie Angel Arts, Mumbai presents their curated show titled ‘In an Artist’s Mind’ which will be showcased at The Reflections lounge, JW Marriott.

The show has works of reputed artists like Arunanshu Chowdhury, Anjilie Vellody, Brinda Miller, Jaideep Mehrotra, Sunil Padwal, Ganesh Gohain, Heeral Trivedi, Viraj Naik, Yashwant Deshmukh and photographs by Sanjay. F. Gupta.

The show with an eclectic mix of art works is an attempt to bring in the art lovers and art collectors of the city.

The show commenced on 7th March and will be on view till 31st March 2014.

The Phoenix Woman

Shridharini Art Gallery, New Delhi presents an exhibition of paintings and sculptures by artist Renuka Sondhi Gulati. Renuka Sondhi Gulati, is a prominent female painter and sculptor working under the tutelage of eminent artist Rameshwar Broota and artist Sanjay Roy at Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi. 

This is her 8th solo show of paintings and sculptures and the show it titled ‘The Phoenix Woman’ and is on view till 16th March 2014.

The ‘8’ show

Attic Studio, Mumbai showcases the work of eight courageous women artists in an art exhibition to celebrate International Women’s Day. The show titled ‘8’ seeks to highlight the creative contribution and strength of women in our society. 

Participating artists are Allison Pinto, Devyani Parekh, Poonam Aggarwal, Ribaka Nikam, Reha Shishodia, Sheetal Gattani, Shefali Shah and Sunita Wadhawan.

The show has on display paintings rendered in various styles like figurations and abstractions with a leaning on spirituality in a plethora of mediums like water colours, oils, acrylics, pastels, ink and charcoal on paper and canvas.

The show previews on 8th March and will be on view till 22nd March 2014.

( News reports by Sushma Sabnis)

FEATURE

Speaking lines

Japanese art scholar, Kojiro Tomita observed: “It has been said that art is a tryst, for in the joy of it maker and beholder meet.” On Doodle Day, MetroPlus catches up with five of the city’s most popular illustrators/cartoonists who concur that a sense of humour is most definitely a part of their art.

Balraj K.N.

(Balraj K N)

How did you come to be a cartoonist?

I doodled in school while others by hearted answers. Of course, 30 years ago they could neither Google answers to questions nor their futures. After 12th grade, the fact that I was good at nothing helped me pursue a career in nothing particular. I accidentally stumbled upon cartooning everyday!

Where do you get your inspiration to doodle from?

That’s a trade secret. But it helps if you are a little weird, wear casuals and are bad at counting money. On a serious note, good cartoonists and doodlers look at the world around them with inquisitive eyes. Observation, association and lateral thinking can give birth to great ideas.

Your process/way of working/doodling?

I start by scratching my head non-stop, a way to pique my brain to kick start for ideas! Because, more often, I need to think before I draw. I doodle but rarely at random. Based on whether it is a cartoon or illustration, I either put on my thinking cap or let my fingers do the talking. Sometimes, I alternate between the two for the requirement at hand.

Your favourite doodle?

My own cartoon, ‘Cricket-A Religion’ that was published in Deccan Herald.

What does it take to make it big as a cartoonist?

Burning fire in your belly. And the lack of fire extinguishers with editors, clients, family, friends and foes.

Rasheed Kappan

(Rasheed Kappan)

How did you come to be a cartoonist?

I had always enjoyed looking at society from a tongue-in-cheek prism. Marrying this attitude with a bit of drawing skills, I dived deep into cartooning. And yes, I knew where to draw the line!

Where do you get your inspiration to doodle from?

When you doodle, you get oodles of ideas. You draw from that rich pool, put pen to paper and let it wander like your mind. Our city and its fumbling governing class are so outrageously generous to give me ideas to make fun of.

Your process /way of working /doodling?

I chose the graphic style to create my cartoons. Because, I believe that every cartoon is a work of art, with the right composition. The art, graphics and design should be compelling enough for the viewer to sit up and notice, laugh and think.

Your favourite doodle?

I loved doing the one on the cop stopping the motorcyclist, inserting his nose deep into the biker's mouth and analysing the latter's breath. That's called invading your private space!

What does it take to make it big as a cartoonist?

You need a funny bone for sure. You ought to shed your inhibitions to laugh even at yourself. Basic drawing skills are adequate, provided you don't respect anyone beyond reasonable limits.

Rohan Chakravarty

(Rohan Chakravarty)

How did you come to be a cartoonist?

I write and draw a series of cartoons on wildlife and conservation called Green Humour. It all began with a sighting of a gorgeous tigress bathing in a waterhole at Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary. When ladies in bathtubs are the reason why you picked up a pen and started drawing, there usually isn’t any looking back!

Where do you get your inspiration to doodle from?

Inspiration is like a spam advertisement phone call- it can ring anywhere, at any time, is almost always unexpected and barges in bang when you’re in the middle of something. My sources could be anything from watching and observing birds and animals, to reading or even spending some time feeding and playing with dogs and cats; and of course, ‘last minute panic’ in the words of Bill Watterson.

Your process/way of working/doodling?

I write my ideas first in a very unkempt notebook, which is always accompanied by sketches I hate to claim ownership of on a second look. I then do a rough sketch using a ball pen and take it to Photoshop

Your favourite doodle

Among the work of artists who inspire me- the cartoons from Gary Larson’s Far Side series, the art of Genndy Tartakovsky, Hanna-Barbera and Chuck Jones. I love the wildlife caricatures of Brendan Wenzel and the cartoons of the late Jay Norwood ‘Ding’ Darling.

Alicia Souza

(Alicia Souza)

How did you come to be a cartoonist?

I think it happened by chance, really. It was just a fun, alternate way to document stories and funnies. When I realised I had an audience, it then became a daily mini obsession. My pencil has been scribbling post work hours since.

Where do you get your inspiration to doodle from?

Everywhere, from everything and everyone! Since it's always been about just documenting or a visual one-sided conversation, my topics always included doings or happenings in my daily life.

Your process/way of working/doodling?

It involves 5 steps that I’ve doodled for my followers online who ask the same question! Gathering raw materials, combining the materials, incubating, the A-ha! moment and finally, the idea to reality!

Your favourite doodle?

I love Peanuts by Charles Shultz. He's probably one of my favourite cartoonists. Everything he draws is just so loveable!

What does it take to make it big as a cartoonist?

Lots of drawing time.

Prasad Bhat

(Prasad Bhat)

How did you come to be a cartoonist?

Chance fuelled by passion for art. I was still working as a designer for firms when I started working on my first caricatures. Soon, people wanted to pay for my creations and then, there was no looking back! Graphicurry came into being.

Where do you get your inspiration to doodle from?

My favorite subjects are from the movies, music or television. I am a movie addict. I draw inspiration from every scene, every dialogue, and every movie. I get my sense of light, direction and angle from each scene.

Your process/way of working/doodling?

I study my subject for days or sometimes weeks. I analyse their gestures, body language as well as their personality. I do a lot of character study to come up with each subject. Maybe that’s why I end up getting biased and creating subjects which hold my affection most!

Your favourite doodle?

Mario de Miranda’s depiction of scenes from Germany in his book of travels is precious. I am not into travelling, but his books manage to transport me to a whole new space mentally and spiritually.

What does it take to make it big as a cartoonist?

Only being grounded, patient and perseverant can get you there. Art is still not a socially accepted form of livelihood for a majority of our ecosystem. Hence, it is absolutely imperative to pay heed to the right signs and advises. Be honest in accessing your own skills, set realistic goals and work towards achieving them.

(Report by Neeti Sarkar for The Hindu)

The Baroda March 2014, A A Raiba Felicitated and more..

NEWS

AA Raiba honoured with State Award

(Artist Abdul Aziz Raiba)

The Fine Arts Department of the State of Maharashtra honoured the painter Abdul Aziz Raba with a Lifetime Achievement Award towards his immense contribution to the field of Art. The event was held at Jehangir Art Gallery, and the Chief Guest, Honorable Minister Rajesh Tope presented the award on behalf of the state to the senior artist.

Also accompanying the event was The Maharashtra State Art Exhibition 2013-14 which previewed on the 5th March and will be on view till 11th March 2014 at the AC-3 gallery.

The show is jointly curated by Prof. Shashikant Kakade and Prof Anant Nikam of JJ School of Art and Zasha Colah and Sumesh Sharma of Clark House Initiative.

Traces and Tears

( Work on display)

Project 88, Mumbai presents a solo show of artist Sandeep Mukherjee, titled, ‘Traces and Tears’. Working in painting, drawing and installation, Mukherjee positions his work in abstraction that is both phenomenological and ontological - where aesthetics informs experience and art researches its own specific conditions. Improvisational and process based, Mukherjee's work investigates materiality and the body as a means to resist identity and conceptual determination. The work asserts pleasure and embodied criticality in order to inhabit an expanded field of structural logic and subjectivity. Following multiple paths through figuration, the performing body, architecture as site and abstraction, the work continues to explore the tension between process, image, affect and meaning. 

Mukherjee received an MFA from UCLA, and a BFA from Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles. Born in Pune, India, he lives and works in Los Angeles and is a Professor of Art at Pomona College. 

The show commences on 13th March and will be on view till 19th April 2014.

The Baroda March 2014

(Work on display)

Rukshaan Art presents a show at the Coomaraswamy Hall of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai, titled, ‘The Baroda March 2014’. The show will display paintings and sculptures made by upcoming as well as established artists.

This is an annual event, a brain child of gallerist and curator Rukshaan Krishna, where she involves and displays the works of the newer and the older generation of Baroda based or Baroda educated artists. The show aims to bring out the freshness and novelty of thoughts and skill of the artists.

The show previews on 8th March at 5:30pm and will be on view till 16th March 2014.

Fragment Nature

( Work by Maruthi Paila)

Icon Art Gallery, Hyderabad presents a solo show of art work by artist Maruthi Paila. The show titled, ‘Fragment Nature’ features abstract art works by the artist.

Abstract art is personal and subjective and Maruthi Paila explores those possibilities of expression in myriad ways. Moving away from figurative imagery, Maruthi dwells in the non-representational world. The acrylics and small format works are geometric, with criss-cross lines forming haphazard, asymmetrical patterns perhaps resulting from an outpour of the artist’s emotions. It’s like a mosaic of lines and colours. Yet, there is a sense of harmony in the composition. Maruthi has been seeking to find a language of his own working and exploring different types of imagery, figurative and non-figurative - a continuous exercise to develop his visual vocabulary for growth and perfection. 

The show previews on 7th March at 6:30pm and will be on view till 20th March 2014.

(News reports by Sushma Sabnis)


FEATURE

Bridging the distance

As an exhibition of astrophotography goes on in the city, Ajay Talwar, a participant and one of the few belonging to the tribe, explains why he loves to demystify the celestial world.

(SKY IS THE LIMIT: Dolly and Pankaj)

Demystifying the skies and bringing the celestial bodies closer to people are three photographers — Laurent Laveder, Thierry Legault from France and Ajay Talwar — at Jantar Mantar. The site, an 18th century astronomical observatory, couldn’t have been more appropriate, even though in recent years it has come to be first registered as a site of protest in our minds. But the exhibition “Astrophotography” — organised by Institut Francais en Inde, the French Embassy in India and the Alliance Francaise as part of “Fete De La Photo 2014 — A Photo Festival in Public Space” — in which science meets art, sits in perfect harmony with the space. Ajay Talwar, one of the few astrophotographers in India, talks about practicing this niche genre.

On astrophotography in India

Its popularity is growing at a good pace because of digital SLR. There are about 200-300 practitioners of it because digital SLR allows long exposures and full control over apertures. You have to expose your photograph for the right time to create star trails and that’s how you get an image. When I started 27 years ago, we used to shoot on film and we would come to know of our mistakes only later and it would take long to correct it. Amateur Astronomer Association of Nehru Planetarium (Talwar is its vice-president) has also popularised the genre. Members discuss different aspects of astronomy there.

On the technique

(Temple Moon Full Rise)

While in the daytime everything is done by the camera itself, when you are shooting at night, the photographer has to do a lot of things. The focus, the framing and the exposure, you have to decide everything. To do something like star trails, you have to keep shooting long exposure, say about 30 seconds through the night, but at Nanda Devi where the shoot lasted for three hours, I kept exposing for two minutes. It was a cold night and three cameras with timer remotes attached to them were placed at different locations. It is an interesting experience because the photographer spending the whole night beneath the sky can see it move.

Shooting night landscapes like I do doesn’t require telescope but yes when I do deep sky objects, I do work with telescopes. Otherwise I shoot on 35 mm lens, 50 mm lens or 200 mm lens in special cases like my image of moonrise above the Kalkaji temple. I was one-and-a-half kilometres away from the temple in a house in Sant Nagar. I had to plan the shoot in advance because I had to calculate the day and the time of such an alignment between the moon and the temple.

On bringing the human element into his photographs

The structures, temples and human presence entered my frame after I was invited by TWAN (The World at Night), a platform for photographers who shoot earth and sky in the night. I realised that to get people to relate to this world, it is important to have a relatable presence. Viewers are very receptive to such images. In the “Dolly and Pankaj” image which has become very popular, it is just my friend sitting under the sky at Hatu Peak in Narkanda, Himachal Pradesh, against the moving stars captured through exposures. I would tell my friend to stay still for five minutes, then ten minutes and then fifteen minutes in such biting cold.

Future projects

India’s largest optical telescope is coming up at Devasthal in Nainital and I have been documenting its creation. So I plan on doing a time-lapse video on it.

(Report by Shailaja Tripathi for The Hindu)