India Art Fair 2022: What you should look out for
India Art Fair, commonly known as IAF is returning this year after a two-year hiatus, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. Considered to be the biggest commercial event for Indian art and artists, IAF was introduced in 2008 by art connoisseur Neha Kripal in Delhi. This year will be the 13th edition of IAF and it is scheduled to be held at the India Art Fair (NSIC) Grounds in New Delhi from 28th April to 1st May.
At IAF, artists, galleries and exhibitors showcase their art collections, with the intention of selling and engaging with potential clients; organisers and exhibitors collaborate to make curatorial interventions, such as live performances by artists, talks and seminars, outdoor projects, studio workshops, curated walks and new art and book launches. Another significant part of IAF is the ‘Biennale’ or the cultural exchange and discussions with respect to art and artists’ vision. Apart from the exhibition of a wide variety of artworks, here’s what you shouldn’t miss out if you are an art lover.
Live Performance: Ghar-Ghar
A live performance by textile artist Gurjeet Singh called ‘Ghar-Ghar’ is scheduled for 28th April from 5pm to 6pm. As part of this performance, the artist will evoke childhood nostalgia and depict a young boy engaging in a make-believe wedding with another boy. It is supposed to begin from the entrance of the fair and end at The Studio part of the venue which will be set up as a wedding stage (‘mandap’) with decorations, props and sculptures. Gurjeet Singh is better known for his advocacy for the marginalised sections of the society through his improvised art.
Curated Walk: The Pandemic, Did It Even Happen?
It has been organised on 29th April 1pm onwards by an independent curator and art educator named Shaleen Wadhwana. This walk is supposed to last for 30 to 40 minutes outside The Studio area and will focus on how the Covid-19 pandemic impacted our lives. It will showcase large art projects to personalised and intimate artworks that introspect on the past two pandemic-driven years.
Talk Session: on Satish Gujral
A talk session by notable art writer, editor, critic and curator Gayatri Sinha named ‘In Memorium: Satish Gujral’ has been scheduled for 29th April, 3pm to 3:45pm in the Auditorium area of the venue. The session will pay tribute to the late artist, poet and architect Satish Gujral who was influential in shaping the modern aesthetics of Indian art.
Printmaking Workshop: Gift a Flower, Make a Friend
Dr. Paula Sengupta, a contemporary artist, academician, writer and curator, will conduct a printmaking workshop on 29th April from 2pm to 2:45 pm in the Workshop Space of the venue. The workshop will take in participants who will be interested in creating miniature stamps of their respective favourite flowers on postcards and then exchange them with other participants. In this way, the workshop will focus on forming new friendships and put importance on developing community art projects.