'Delhi is experimenting with art'

Say experts, as buyers and connoisseurs appreciate nude forms at an art summit

Say experts, as buyers and connoisseurs appreciate nude forms at an art summit

An installation on display at the second edition of the India Art Summit 2009

Delhi has finally shed it all.

Tagged conservative by its more liberal cousins from other Metros, the city seems to be warming up to nude art.

At the second edition of the India Art Summit 2009, being organised at Pragati Maidan, stylishly executed bare male and female forms are in focus. And the Capital's art frat can't have enough of nude paintings,
photographs, sculptures and mixed media experiments. Even the buyer seems to be lapping it up.

So, is Delhi casting off its inhibitions about art experiments or is it more for shock and awe?

Dare bare

Artists and market experts are happy about the city's stark initiation but are skeptical as well. Talking about the recognition of bare art in the country, Uday Jain, director, Dhoomimal Gallery, said, "We are seeing a growing demand for nude art in India but not every artist has mastered the art of painting a bare form yet."

Some international galleries taking part in the show are just doing a recce. Jorn Middelborg, managing director of Thavibu Gallery from Bangkok, one of the participants at the exhibition, said, "We have included some pieces of pop art here, which are just a celebration of the beauty of the human form."

Artistes, meanwhile, are downplaying the trend. "Kamasutra originated in India and nude art is celebrated at Khajuraho and Ajanta and Ellora. This is not something new for Indian culture. We are just going back in time," said photographer Prabir Purkayastha.

"Every form of art is beautiful, there is nothing special about nudes. But often buyers choose them because of their commercial and shock value. This form of art is misused for sensationalism. However, there are some real art lovers as well, who will buy a nude for its artistic value," said artist Jogen Chowdhury.

Buyers' love

While earlier, a nude form at an exhibition would only draw eyeballs or headlines, this time, buyers are paying to take these basics home.u00a0u00a0 Neena Gupta, a visitor at the exhibition, said, "I would love to display a nude art piece in my home but it should be done very tastefully. I don't want to make it awkward for my children."

Back to basic: A nude painting

While, designers Rohit and Rahul enjoy the exhibition in New Delhi on Wednesday u00a0Pics/Imtiyaz Khan

Interestingly, it's not only the female form that buyers choose but male figures in the buff are also in demand.

Ajay Rajgarhia from wonderwall.co.in, a creative photography portal, said, "We had organised a show called em.body in Delhi in February, where male nudes sold more than female ones. It seems Delhiites are experimenting with art."