India: Modern and Contemporary Art

At Vadehra Art Gallery, we saw 3 floors of art by Atul Bhalla at Defense Colony 53

On our last two days in Delhi, the Poteets and I had an opportunity to visit some private contemporary galleries. I was ready to be re-engaged in the present or at least near past.

At Gallery Espace who represents Subodh Gupta, who is well-known for incorporating everyday objects such as steel tiffin boxes or thali pans into his artworks, we found this exhibition Of Herbariums, Hortoriums And Home  with Nandini Bagla Chirimar and Paula Sengupta. Paula Sengupta was exploring the chintz of the East India company and how repeating a pattern with different color ways, suggest those fabric choices we have all seen in pattern books. This artist might even end up printing fabrics. Nandini Bagla Chirimar presents map like pictures of her home environment and I found these similar to the work of Iana Quesnel in San Diego. 

Paula Sengupta.

Paula Sengupta.

Nandini Bagla Chirimar

Nandini Bagla Chirimar

Nandini Bagla Chirimar

At Vadehra Art Gallery, we saw 3 floors of art by Atul Bhalla at Defense Colony 53 and work by  A Ramachandran at Defence Colony 40. We particularly liked a video of mirror images of the artist moving a glass of water and a chunk of raw meat on a table. Perhaps we were giddy from the relief of crowds, but this amused us in the way a minimal and very serious comedic scene can sometimes do.  

Atul Bhalla at Defense Colony 53

Atul Bhalla at Defense Colony 53

Atul Bhalla at Defense Colony 53

A Ramachandran at Defence Colony 40, a surprising lush look at lily ponds. 

At the National Gallery of Modern Art we saw a survey show ...in the seeds of time. This exhibition traced the trajectory of modern India art from the colonial encounter from the 18th century to current trends in the 21st century. The building was massive, secluded and modern. 

The story of the Salt March in 1947 was big news and well documented by world journalist. Salt was turned into a government controlled monopoly and Gandhi organized a non-violent but loud march to Dandi to protest this essential element in everyday lives as necessary are air and water. This stunning installation titled Dandi Yatra was the best I have seen recently and very powerful.  

An anonymous man was captured in pen and pencil on paper on the march to Dandi.

Raja Ravi Varma, one of the first Indian painter to use oil paint.

This amorous couple by an unknown artist was back painted on glass.

Bal Krishna painted by an unknown artist with applied gold in the Tanjore style

Radhika painted by Abanindranath Tagore (1871 to 1951) leader of the national movement in Art in Calcutta in 1896 and part of the Bengal School. They turned from the colonial style to the Asian style for their influences. 

God Shiva holding a skull by unknown artist

Hide and Seek by Ranada Ukil, born1900

Kalia Mardan,  1959  painted by Madhu Powle, born 1935

Fantastic Figure by Rabindranath Tagore (1861 to 1941). There was a whole series by this modernist painter.

Amrita Shar-Gil was the only women artist we saw and she was represented by many pictures. This one is called  Young Girls, 1932

The Santiniketan seems to revert back to a naive and native style. 

On the top floor, we seem to see work influenced by the west and some of these artists are well know and making millions in auction prices at Sotheby's and Christie's.

Untilteled lithograph from 1970 by B,B Muckherjee (1904 - 1980)

Eros Killing Thanatos, 1984 by F.N. Souza (1924 to 2002)

Untitled painting, 1976 by B.H. Raza (b. 1922)

Roopantar was displaying sculptures from the reserve collection. Beautifully displayed on black marble rooms, this was a whole separate building at the National Museum of Modern Art. The end of the day and running out of battery life, using a secondary phone,  so sorry no labels.

Finally, a world about shopping. I am not a great shopper but we went to the Dilli Haat market in New Delhi and it was such an agreeable experience that I can highly recommend it. Prices were fair and you could still bargain down a bit. There was entertainment and hand crafted goods from all over India. 

Our host and hostess for the last two days was Anand Bora and his wife Manisha and daughter Divi. Anand handles our software through his company  Determinant Studios. 

If you want to know more about this 2018/1019 trip to India you can read. India: Monuments and Museums  and  Great Big Indian Wedding: Cultural event that ends my year!

Great Big Indian Wedding: Cultural event that ends my year!

Darwin and I were so fortunate to be included in the wedding or Erin and Niraj in Vadodara, India and I am sending this report so you can have a little experience of this if you never have had that opportunity.  I was told, if you ever get invited to a wedding in India, make sure and go. We did and what an experience! Here is a run down of the three days with some of the special images. 

Dec 28

The first day of the wedding was spectacular and everything you have seen and read about Indian weddings is absolutely true. The clothes with rich fabrics and jewels are stunning. We all got our hands painted with henna and even in the afternoon there was dancing and then a huge lunch in a giant cloth canopy in a communal garden. There were tons of servers and we were constantly being offered food and water…this region is vegetarian with no alcohol but that does not stop them in the least from a huge variety of foods and creating a contact high of good spirits and joy.

The dance on the first night was a page out of the Arabian Nights…lights everywhere, fireworks everywhere, food in great abundance but the most impressive thing was the entertainment which was put on by the friends, family and even neighbors of the groom. Each dance told a story and then great communal dancing at the end after dining. Debra was in her element and she and Erin were Queen and Princess of the evening for us. Larry joined into every dance as well and the 5 bridesmaids including Sarah were everywhere…like ladies in waiting! Check out Erin and Niraj as they entered the festivities: https://youtu.be/1ix4wKivaO4

All the ladies had henna hand....Erin's were up and down her arms and legs

First of many Elephant God statues and massive flower display

Brides Mom and Dad in full India regalia

One of three lounging areas at the first night dance. 

Here is the bicycle rickshaw that the bride and groom arrived in with exploding firework comes off the roof!

They dismounted the rickshaw for picture op on this swing

Large stage for the performers

details of the brides dress

Just a few of the serving staff watching the entertainment

Dec 29^th

The second day was the religious ceremonies with water, sweetmeats, flowers and flames symbolizing the washing, feeding, anointing and blessings. The bride and groom ceremonies which are usually separate were combined as there were so few of us present for the bride. Drums and flutes were the order of the day with another huge, elaborate lunch under the canopy. Ann, Karen and I got to anoint Erin with turmeric butter on her feet, knees, arms and checks and it was lovely to be included in the ritual. This was the day that bought a tear to my eye! 

Bride's father....another change of clothes for the day of religious ceremonies

Mothers of the bride and groom

Bride during these early morning rituals

Flutes and drums....very loud and with rigorous dancing as the groom arrived

I wanted to try all the food, but spicy food does not like me so Darwin was my official taster. That way I am managing the second day better than the first which necessitated two or three strong anti-acids besides the Pepto Bismol and tums! It is mainly a carb diet as we have been warned against fresh fruit and raw veg and salad….lots of cooked veg here, but sadly too spicy for me.  Yummy dessert, of course, but we try to eat eggs in the morning for that protein hit. I am starting to dream about salads!

We ate three fabulous meals in the communal garden of the groom family compound. Perhaps not as large as the party plot venue or the wedding venue, but incredibly impressive. 

entrance to the groom's family home

Private garden decor

home front

entrances to communal garden

enormous canopy with hanging flowers

Every tree decorated!

The family and friends of Niraj are the kindest most helpful people and we have been treated like Rock Stars as they do everything to make us feel not just welcome but special. Many have come over from the US to share in this event including the groom’s uncle and aunt. They have explained what is going on and arranged all of our transportation to the events. It seems to me a bit chaotic, but they all know what they are doing and why.  I enjoy the ebb and flow of events and you do rather feel carried along by the profusion rituals. We understand everything is building toward the last big event but have no idea what to expect. We have seen Erin in 4 different dresses so far and she has looked exquisite in all of them as has Debra. I think we should start a new trend in San Diego to wear fabulous glittery, brocaded and embroidered clothes. I might not want to live in India, but I would love to dress as if I did.

One fabric after the other was more ornate and elaborate...I couldn't help staring!

Dec 30

Wedding Day 3 started with a short processional but it took 2 hours of intense dancing to cover about one block! We were then whisked about 4 blocks away to the venue. We entered through twinkling light and flowers and the wonderful statues that has been ever present of the Elephant God Ganesh. Basically it was explained to us that there is only one god but he has many names and duties, just like we might be mother, daughter, wife etc.

The extraordinary thing to us foreigners, was that no one paid much attention to the ceremonies.  We were even invited up to the big stage (about 60 feet long with solid wall of strands of fresh flowers) to lounge and have a closer view as all sorts of blessing and rituals were performed by the priest. The rest of the invited guest, milled around the huge grounds, indulged in the 20 of more food stations. 

After about an hour the bride arrived looking less like Erin and more like a porcelain doll. https://youtu.be/7fgXwr-ZS0Y. 



The ceremony culminated with circling a small fire and then the reception line started with every single one of the 700 guests having their photos taken with the bride and groom. Erin and Debra showed enormous grace and stamina in smiling and greeting all these very friendly people. We left but the bride and grooms family and bridesmaid then sat down to a formal served dinner all outside. We understand, after that they were back to the host complex and there were a number of other rituals, like hiding the grooms shoe and searching for a ring in a bowl of rose petal strewn water. Mr. Disal explained that there were no shortcuts in this wedding. Every possible ceremony and ritual was observed!

Irene joined us in spirit as we readied ourselves for the 3rd and final day of celebrations

Groom is shy and very low key so arrived in this decorated car as he resisted a showier entrance, we understand. 

Flower alter waiting for it's elephant god

Giant stage with strands of flower at least 15 feet high and 50 feet long as a back drop

Groom hidden from view of his bride

Finally they are turned to face the revelers

Officially married in India once they have walked around the fire 7 times.

Big Smiles from both bride and groom

May Ganesh bless this couple. 

Basically this wedding was all about the Poteets giving up their daughter to her new family in India and most of the rituals were concerned with that aspect…however, for our small group on the bride side, we are still aware that this is moderns times and Niraj is also giving up his family to become part of the Poteet clan. The wedding in April in San Diego, will follow those lines…they are not losing a daughter but gaining a son!  

Read more about this 2018/2019 trip to India: Monuments and Museums and  India: Modern and Contemporary Art

State of Mind, State of the Arts, 2019

top: Belize Iristay, bottom: Irene de Watteville

State of the Arts 2019

As the daily crises reported on the media continues to escalate, and affects our mood and optimism, I see art as a way to tune out and refresh ourselves for more and more people. And the threat of financial crisis, which has hung over us for the last years, it is nice to know that there are things of great value that are not tied to money and available to all.

If you are like me, you listen to the news and end up with raised blood pressure and wondering if there is an end to the struggles around the world. I found the elections a way to feel as if I did have a part to play, and was relieved with a certain progress in our country’s politics. Now I feel I need to back away from that stress and find a daily way to chill out a bit. I do my walks and yoga and dance class, I alternately watch my diet and over-indulge…seems like I have been full since Thanksgiving!  But the most effective way I have to calm and validate myself is by making art and viewing exhibitions.

Working with your hands is a special activity, whether you are repairing an appliance, baking a special meal, or like me, working with wax to create glass sculptures. Time slows down and you feel centered and the worries of the world fade away. Knowing how satisfying that is gives me great security as I know, even with a market crash, there are these special activities that will continue.

And when I am not making, I can be engaging in viewing exhibitions or theater or dance as we have such a wonderful cultural community here in San Diego. As transport might become more difficult, I am delighted to concentrate on my local North Coast Rep and New Village Arts and looking forward to Passport to Dance in the spring organized by the Encinitas Friends of the Arts.  Open Your Hearts to North County Arts helped to bring our northern neighbors together.  We are looking forward to seeing Ann Mudge, Erin Dace Behling, Bob Matheny and Max Daily, SD Art Prize recipients at the Athenaeum in May of 2019 and Irene de Watteville and Belize Iristay opening there on Jan 12. County-wide collaborations make it possible for events to travel and I love it (especially on a Friday night!) when I don’t have to go too far afield to have experiences that inspire me.  

I am having a big adventure as we leave for India for a wedding at the end of the year. But horizon are ever widening for those with an imagination. So sharpen those brain cells and get on the roller coaster of arts events where ever you can.