R.S.V.P.

The last few months have seen hetic art activity in the city,with the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi organizing some of the most absorbing lectures,slide shows,interactions and exhibitions by renowned and celebrated artists of the country. The invites are a worthy preview to the big evening ahead. While black remains the colour of preference,there’s always a surprise element in store,be it in terms of design,contrasts,profile picture or the entire look. The artist’s work is an integral part of the card,making it a collector’s item for many. Raghu Rai,Anjolie Ela Menon,Manjit Bawa,Jatin Das,Krishen Khanna…it’s an illustrious list. “Because we belong to the visual arts,we understand the value of feelings in an invite. It is through the card that we put the artists and their work on a pedestal and make sure that the quality of the invite is at par with the quality of the programme. By incorporating work of artists,we ensure it is for keeps,with many people framing these cards too,” Diwan Manna,Chairperson of the Akademi designs all cards personally and agrees it’s an essential investment of time,thoughts and emotions.

Right now working on the invite of Art Conclave North-East which begins January 27,Diwan says the idea is to compel people to think about the event and establish a trademark,making sure that the colour enhances the portrait of the artist. The same goes for catalogues,an extension of the invite,with the Akademi’s Annual Art Exhibition catalogue being a mammoth effort and a celebrated one too. “After the exhibition,the catalogue remains and it can be an arty reference point for both artists and those interested in art,’’ the catalogue encompasses the artists’ brief profile and work on every page,with essential details like e-mail,address,medium of work,and previous and future activities of the Akademi and a serious comment on the state of art in Chandigarh.

Talking of invites,the striking black and white shaded with red was an eye-catcher by the Haryana Institute of Fine Arts,which had a matching catalogue to celebrate the first Haryana Contemporary Art Exhibition in Chandigarh. According to Piyush,they wanted to make a mark with complete creativity!

An interesting idea conceived by the Foundation For Art,Culture and Education (FACEINDIA) was to organize an exhibit of artist Shiv Singh’s work,‘World of Art’ and release a book/catalogue on Shiv. Published by the Foundation,it gives a peek into Shiv’s work,his life,a chronology of his exhibitions,awards and personal and touching notes on Shiv and his work by friends and contemporaries. “From then to now,the book records it all in a creative manner and it can be a good reference point for others too,’’ smiles Shiv,turning the pages of the glossy catalogue. FaceIndia’s recent exhibition Art to Heart,a travelling art concert,which features the unusual work of Serah G – designed by Viren K,founder of the Foundation – had a catalogue which not only featured Serah’s varied styles of art,but insertions describing FaceIndia’s work,philosophy and success trip. The catalogue’s design matched the invite and was a personal effort of Serah and Viren.

“Invite and catalogue designing is serious business,which is creatively absorbing and challenging,’’ agrees Smita Mishra,a freelance artist,who does extensive structural and creative work for group shows and also posters for exhibits. “You have to make a statement which is not over the top,yet stylishly inviting,’’ adds Smita.

For many artists,catalogues are a good way to spread the word about one’s work,styles and help reach out to buyers and also galleries. “My catalogues give the viewer a glimpse of the range of work I do,plus info about sizes,mediums,contacts et al,’’ quips Anu Ganju,who recently had a show at the Alliance Franciase. The annual reports of the India Foundation for the Arts are scene stealers,be it introductions of their artists,new grants,art activism,profile and works of the artists in residency,new performances et al. Take a look!