Newsletter for Art Collectors & Aficionados

Weekly Collector Issue: IV February 2011

Copal The Leading Authority on Indian Art

Thought for the week:

~ Oscar Wilde

NATIONAL HERITAGE: A TREASURE

“Treasures of Ancient China” a very significant exhibition aimed to fructify

cultural exchanges between the two most ancient civilizations of the world:

Indian & China, was inaugurated by the Minister of Culture (Government of

India) Kumari Selja in the presence of H.E. Zhang Yan (Chinese

Ambassador to India) and the senior officials of Cultural Heritage from

China on February 19, 2011.

History:

The year 2006 was declared “Indo-China Friendship Year” and as a

significant component of the yearlong celebration in this context, an

exhibition on “Treasures of Ancient India” was organized in 2006-07 at four

venues in China-Beijing, Zhengzhou, Chongqing and Guangzhou. One

hundred exquisite Indian art objects ranging from 3rd century BC to 18th

Century AD, representing Hindu, Buddhist and Jain pantheons made in

stone, metal, ceramics etc. were mounted on display to present a

microcosmic view of Indian art and culture.

If you don't get everything you want, think of the things you don't get that

you don't want.

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In reciprocation to that endeavour, India opens “Treasures of ancient China” that brings alive over 10,000 years of Chinese history through some amazing pieces of artefacts like terracotta warriors and special tri-coloured pottery of China. Copal strongly feels that National Treasures of a country are vital in demonstrating the artistic outlook of that nation.

This exhibition will be on till March 20, 2011

COLLECTOR'S CHOICE: HARSH GOENKA

This week we bring to you, the art inclination and penchants of business mogul Harsh Goenka with his fervour for art and about his most recent attempt to advance viewing of art. His interest in art dates back to his childhood days in Kolkata and since then, this art enthusiast has been collecting countless art pieces from all across the globe. The art aficionado has now organised a unique art show titled 'Of Gods and Goddesses' which is an eclectic mix of artworks by several artists.

The industrialist feels that his arty influences have also been extended to his entire family. “Their involvement in art is relatively passive though,” he stated in an interview to DNA. Goenka is one of the biggest collectors of art in India and has a diverse collection of artworks in his office as well. Early this month also witnessed the 18th season of the Art Camp, an annual, week-long art exhibition held at Goenka's beach house in Marve, Mumbai marked by an array of works by 20 artists from India and abroad.

“Such joint ventures help strengthen and grow the bond of affection between

people of our countries. We are readying with the second exhibition on Tagore

paintings and will work out details in this regard”

~ Kumari Selja

“The fabric of religion, cinema and cricket truly binds the collective consciousness of the nation” ~ Goenka

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It is heartening to see art enthusiasts like Goenka who elevate the criterion for showcasing and promoting Indian Art and is one of the adherents who endorse the value and significance of art in our lives.

Source: Copal, Shreya Badola-DNA

CELEBRATING RAZA

We are glad to share with you, a recent issue of the art magazine 'Harmony' for the

month of February which has featured Copal recommended senior artist SH Raza's on

its cover page, snap shot of which we are sharing with you (see image below).

thThis month also marked the 89 birth anniversary of the legend and we are glad to have a gem like him in the fraternity without whose dedicated time and effort, we could have not reached our aspiration to benefit this community and the overall promotion of art.

We hope that his life be full of colours and vividness just like he has dedicated his life

to brighten the intensity of Indian art globally.

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SUBODH GUPTA: ABSOLUT VODKA

Indian artist Subodh Gupta is the latest to contribute to Absolut Vodka's art collection.

Absolut has built up an original art collection over the last 30 years, which comprises

works by greats such as Andy Warhol, Louise Bourgeois and Rosemarie Trockel.

About Gupta:

Until Subodh Gupta happened, most Indian artists were aping installation practices in

the West. Subodh's utensils, his cow dung cakes, his aluminium rods tweaked into a

fence like bamboo, his gigantic cow - illuminates his capacity for bridging different

worlds, all have restructured Indian constructivism to the sensuous fluid installations of

his more recent, rustic ruminations.

The Absolut Vodka sculpture by Gupta goes beyond the chaotic eruption of vessels and

instead is the artful disorganization of a quaint and curious order. This deceptively

simple-looking bottle(below) is garbed in the high-gloss sheen of the familiar, homely,

stainless steel forms, and is a commentary on contemporary India.

“I work with my childhood memories. I have always believed art should be contemporary, but it must have a distinct language that gives it life beyond years. My work emerges from the mundane, from the surroundings, from my past, brought forward to the present”

~ Subodh Gupta

Source: Copal, Times of India

ART NEEDS A PRESERVATION LAW

Recently, it was declared by the ministry of India that conservation and public art

initiatives would be given priority on a long list of imperatives vis-à-vis an appropriate

preservation of culture.

News reports state that the Indian ministry may even contemplate the enforcement of a

registration law that will list public art and heritage relics. It is likely that additional

stringent laws would be framed to prevent desecration of public art.

Heritage walks, brochures and festivals have given the world something to talk about.

But much more needs to be done. Hopefully, Delhi will stand as a carefully calibrated

colourful example to the rest of the country and tout its culture and heritage

preservation moves, as much as its vibrant economic climate.

The authorities may want to consider tapping into its already wealthy mind power and

draw from trained resources to arrive at a more comprehensive and enlightened policy

that addresses all aspects of art, culture and heritage conservation.

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Kumari Selja

Source: Copal, DNA

INDIAN ART & CULTURE AT ABU DHABI FEST

A three-day cultural and entertainment event that was inaugurated on February 17,

2011 concluded on February 20 at Abu Dhabi's Indian Social and Cultural Centre

(ISC). This festival, having attended by over 25,000 visitors presented a glimpse of

Indian, art, culture and cuisine to national and international tourists.

Artists from various Indian organizations across the UAE performed in a range of

programmes, representing India's cultural diversity, as it aimed to open its doors to all

Indians who constitute the largest expatriate community in the capital and also in the

UAE.

"People must learn to respect public art. Art should be brought out from the confines of the museums to public spaces so that they become more interactive and mass-oriented"

~Kumari Selja, Minister of Culture (GOI)

“The first time that the centre has organized such a major event portraying the

cultural elements from various parts of India”

~ ISC President M. Thomas Varghese

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EVENTS

Contemporary Pioneers Karnataka

A show of works of Karnataka's artists from the 1970s, dedicated to K.K. Hebbar

The works of 22 veteran, pioneering artists; a special limited-edition by Yusuf Arakkal;

originals by K.K. Hebbar at Galerie De' Arts has an interesting show lined up to celebrate its

first anniversary.

Homai Vyarawalla: A Retrospective

Over 200 images from Vyarawalla's career of 35 years (1930s to 1970s) will be on display at

the NGMA, introducing people to the human side of India and poignant moments in Indian

nationalism. On till April 10.

Tyeb Mehta: Triumph of Vision

Works of legendary artist Tyeb Mehta

in a solo exhibition titled Triumph of

Vision on display curated by Yashodhara

Dalmia. On till 15 March 2011 at Vadehra Art Gallery

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Special Contributions by: Ashok Vajpeyi , Ajay Seth, Devesh Garg

Editor: Saguna Ahluwalia

Contributing Editors: Mithila Kapoor, Nikhil Khandelwal, Ricky Seth, Sahitya Prakash, Sharan Seth, Swati Sharma,

Mahendra Nayar

Coordinator: Sanjiv Choube

Copal Art P. Ltd. 1112, DLF Tower B, Jasola District Centre, Mathura Road, New Delhi – 110 025 (India)

Phone: 011- 40647045- 52. Email: contact@copalart.com, office@copalart.com. Website: www.copalart.com