Chennai: Sixty six artists from across the country, 10 venues; Chennai is witnessing one of the biggest contemporary art shows ever. Titled ‘Contemporary Now’, the third edition of the show will be held from August 8-25 at Lalit Kala Akademi, and brings together artists from leading galleries such as Ashvita’s, Chatterjee and Lal, Experimenter, Project 88 and TARQ. “It’s a one-of-a-kind art show in the south because it brings together a curation of artists who have been spoken about internationally, not just in the country,” says Priyanjoli Basu, one of the directors. “We want to start conversations about contemporary art in Chennai and make it accessible through this show.”The themes range across war, politics and displacement to climate change, coast and local knowledge. The acceptance of such a show indicates a definite shift in Chennai’s artistic sensibilities, say artists. Raghava KK, who has been living and exhibiting his works in New York for the past 20 years, recalls his first exhibition in Chennai 25 years ago. “Chennai used to be associated with Chola bronzes and Tanjore paintings, solely traditional art forms. But now it’s proven that it’s rich in conceptual and contemporary art as well. There were just a handful of art galleries then, and now there is a thriving community to support art. The most compelling cutting edge artists have come to the south for the show.” More important, he says, is that India is ready for contemporary Indian art practices, and to contribute to a global conversation. “We have an amazing heritage; the question is, how do we make it relevant for the future.”Besides the show at Lalit Kala Akademi, a series of partner shows will be held in galleries across the city, such as exhibitions of works by C Krishnaswamy and Benitha Perciyal. There will be panel discussions on contemporary art as well, on Saturday at Ashvita’s.
