Love art? Drop by these two exhibitions in Mumbai this week

Relook reimagineIf this writer knew what art was all about she wouldnrsquot write about it One writes in search of answers to experiences not questions And at Handle With Care Yaazd Contractorrsquos solo exhibition at Method Kala Ghoda we feel that we are on track when the showrsquos literature by Michel Gantous asks us to experience the artwork in the manner suggested by its title but not limit the interaction to prescribed interpretation Finding familiarity in the materials used the shapes they take views they recall and memories associated though from a collective consciousness is a personal payoffYaazd ContractorWith a series of light sculptures vases grills and furniture using metal cinder and flowers massproduced prefabricated steel parts aluminium fluted glass cold cathode or neon lighting and other objects of contrasting materials the show is a reflection of what we live amongst It offers a chance to bring this relationship to the fore Speaking about his choice of material and manner of creation Contractor tells us that the workrsquos forms and parts are rooted in observationldquoThey start from what I see around and within the city and its life After which itrsquos a puzzle of reaching the destination that I wish to reach The use of hardware comes from being brought up by a family of architects But bringing it out from behind the walls and to the forefront is solely for its aesthetic and utilitarian value There are many more reasons for the selection of the parts for my assemblages but this is the baserdquo he adds Gallery founder Sahil Arora shares that the works were developed for the exhibition and highlight a deeper appreciation for local architecture ldquoYaazdrsquos practice independently and with the Back Studio has encouraged us to look at urban landscapes with more detail and in a new light The artistrsquos use of everyday material and objects is intriguing in the way it reimagines their purpose and presents them at the intersection of art architecture and designrdquo he signs offTill January 3 2023 11 am to 6 pm except MondayAt Method Kalaghoda FortLog on to themethodartStories cast in formChhering Negi Rear Window XVIsnrsquot storytelling the medium through which we carry on our lives mdash reconstructing the past to define our present and build a future Apre Art Housersquos Singing The Body Electric Narratives in Ceramic and Print bases itself on the materiality of clay printmaking techniques to highlight their narrative power Founder Prerna Jain points to the mediums as strong conduits for storytelling She adds ldquoSuch objects have been mnemonic devices that record memory ancestry and shared history With both these mediums one has to decipher every mark and symbol to read the complete storyrdquoAnjani Khanna Morning Coffee Pics CourtesyApre Art HouseThe show exhibits the work of 13 artists mdash Ananda Moy Banerji Anjani Khanna Chhering Negi Devesh Upadhyay Dushyant Patel G Reghu Madhur Sen Rajesh Pullarwar Sarban Chowdhury Shripad Gurav Srinia Chowdhury Suvajit Mondal and Vishakha Apte mdash curated by Kristine Michael a ceramic artist and academician Jain points out that the artists have communicated memories from the past and everyday instances to serve as a repository of stories that celebrate the creative narrative language of the mediumsPrerna JainThese stories can offer viewers a route into their past present and future to word their own relationships with each Jain adds ldquoEach artwork and mark made onto its surface is a peek into the life of the artistrdquo An intriguing thing about art is its ability to allude nudge a memory or put words to thoughts As a writer itrsquos funny that words often fail us Here art or in this case ceramic and print step inTill January 4 2023 10 am to 630 pm except MondayAt Apre Art House 28 Sanghvi House Colaba MarketLog on to aprearthousecom