Musings from Chennai

Over the recent past Cholamandal Art Village has been witnessing a new beginning. While a museum featuring the works of artists of the Madras Art Movement was inaugurated last year, from the last two months onwards weekly film shows have been taking place at Cholamandal. With films on artists like Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Brancusi and Francis Bacon being screened followed by discussions on the artists, Cholamandal now seems to be emerging as a much needed space for dialogue in the city.
 
Apparao galleries presented an exhibition of photomontages titled 'Through the eyes of Gandhi' by Delhi based architect Gautam Bhatia. The show was not so much a presentation of life through the eyes of Gandhi but a view of Gandhi through the lives of other people. Within varnished wooden frames, Gandhiji shared visual space with characters ranging from Beatles and Rap stars to army chiefs and cowboys. The satirical edge to the work, the presentation of the visual with neatly written lines explaining the context of the image and the artist's attempt to “infuse today's middle class with the values of Gandhi” gave the work the feel of reading through comic novels where humour combines with a didactic element. Apparao galleries also presented an exhibition of works by Bhavna Sonawane.

Dakshina Chitra presented a solo show by K.G.Narendra Babu. An artist, primarily known for his black and white line drawings, his current series of works explore colour. Coming from a family of weaver in Kanchipuram, the line naturally forms the tool for carrying colour in his paintings. Narendra Babu's work consisting of floating forms and mobile figures are inspired by “What if?” – situations that are far removed from constraints of time and space.

Gallery Sri Parvati presented 'Coloured Horizon' a selection of art works from around the country that explore the theme of landscape. Ranging from abstract works to landscapes inhabited by humans and other beings, this exhibition is the first of a series of exhibitions being planned by the gallery exploring the theme of landscape.

Gallery Sumukha following the exhibition 'Cinema Verite Redux' curated by Shaheen Merali that featured Subba Ghosh, Ravikumar Kashi, Attila Richard Lukacs, Parvathi Nayar, Charly Nijensohn, Prasad Raghavan and Marina Roy hosted an exhibition of metal sculptures. This exhibition was a medley of works by artists like Alex Mathew, Arun Kumar H.G., Karl Antao, Thomas Kovoor, Jyotsna Bhatt, Shanti Swaroopini, G.Reghu and N.N.Rimzon.