Will feature 520 upcoming contemporary artists from different genres
The format is straightforward: put hundreds of artists from across the country under one roof and open the doors to art lovers. This bazaar format may seem a tad experimental, but it’s a sure-shot way of putting India on the global art scene, feels Annurag Sharma, Founder Director of the upcoming United Art Fair.
Come September 27, the Capital will witness its first free art fair -- United Art Fair 2012 -- meant for promoting young and upcoming talents from all over the country, thus making it an artists-driven art fair. “The concept was conceived when I travelled to other art fairs across the world such as London and Dubai,” says Mr. Sharma. “We needed a good art fair in India as well which will provide the artists a solid entry level and help boost galleries,” he says, adding that it will create a hub for galleries to pick up promising artists.
The UAF in its first edition will feature 520 upcoming contemporary artists from different genres of visual arts including painting, sculpture, print making, photography, video, digital art and installations. “Our team travelled to 15 cities and met with more than 3,800 artists before inviting 1,850 artists to apply for the first edition,” says Mr. Sharma. The jury then screened the works and decided the top 520 artists who were invited to present their works at the Pragati Maidan between September 28 and 30.
The fair will also showcase the works of established and senior artists of the contemporary art scene under the title ‘Mind the Gap Now’ which will be curated by Johny ML, UAF Project Director and Chief Curator. Taking “the gap” as a warning sign, the organisers feel that even in the contemporary scene there is a huge hiatus between the established and the non-established artists, thereby making this interaction all the more crucial.
“We also have a ‘Masters’ Corner’ which is one of the highlights of the show which will bring in the works of various modern artists from India,” he said, about a section that is meant for making the audience aware of the streams from which the contemporary artists have taken inspiration for their works.
As art fairs do not concentrate much on photography, the UAF will bring in a special section on the pioneer of Indian photography, ‘Raja Deen Dayal. Around 30 works will be brought in from the Raja Deen Dayal Estate in Hyderabad. UAF will be organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and will be held in Pragati Maidan Hall no. 12 and 12 A between September 28 and 30 with no entry charge.
Keywords: United Art Fair, art exhibition
