Veteran artist Jatin Das: Lalit Kala Akademi, the apex cultural body under Ministry of Culture, Government of India, presents two exhibitions, namely ‘Imag(in)ing the Immediate- Curating from a National Collection’ and ‘The Afghan Journal’, both curated by Akademi’s Assistant Editor and renowned curator and art historian, JohnyML. Both are catalogued and professionally presented. These exhibitions will be inaugurated by the veteran artist Shri. Jatin Das in the presence of the Akademi Chairman Prof. V. Nagdason, tomorrow, 8th November 2023 at 5 pm at the LKA Galleries in Rabhindra Bhavan, Mandi House New Delhi.
‘Imag(in)ing the Immediate- Curating from a National Collection’, as the title suggests is culled from Lalit Kala Akademi’s 7000+ strong collection of art works. The seventy works selected by the curator are meant to create a new narrative by juxtaposing the works of famous modernists with those of lesser known modern and contemporary artists. The curator has attempted to see how stylistic and thematic exchanges had happened irrespective of the fame and name of the artists. This exhibition also underlines the logic of a national collection.
‘The Afghan Journal’ is a solo presentation of sixteen paintings done by a young Mauritius artist, Akshay Seebaluck, who travels all over the world and makes paintings. These works are painted during his sojourn in Afghanistan. Calling the essence of his works as the ‘interpretation of the misinterpreted,’ the curator emphasizes that the human aspirations are same everywhere and the bonding of ordinary human beings without power or authority knows no boundaries.
Prof. V. Nagdas, the Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi says that such projects are undertaken by the Akademi because it has the responsibility of creating new narratives and meanings. “National collections need periodical re-assessment. Works of art are not static entities. As they move through time, they grow the ability to create newer ideas and narratives. We have long term plans to engage curators from various disciplines so that they could position the works in ever renewable contexts making the collection vibrant and relevant.” The exhibitions will be on view till 28th November 2023.
