T&T to Tango

Delhi-based artists,Tagra and Thukral,blur the distinction between high art and popular culture with their latest exhibition.

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T&T to Tango

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Gurgaon-based artists Jiten Thukral and Sumir Tagra (better known as T&T) are never at peace unless they are busy with many projects at the same time. Known to straddle pop culture and realism in their works,the duos latest exhibition is all about depiction of desires,hopes and dreams of the great Indian middle class through what they call 3227,Sector 23,Gurgaon (German Returned),which is on at Nature Morte.

Every piece has a story and stories have to be told. These are not just paintings. Its a transfer of energy, says Thukral. The artists have previously taken on diverse topics such as socially relevant themes of HIV AIDS through works like Put it on (2007),which reappeared this year as Put it on,again and addressed the theme of safe sex . However,this time,they take on the influence of European surrealism in the construction of contemporary Indian identity.

The artists say that the inspiration to do this series grew when they got back from Germany last year. When we came back,people said Youve come back from Germany. Youre more like Germany-returned now. Thats how it started, added Tagra about the exhibition,which has many of the T&T trademarks. Its a dream world of sorts as both the artists have mixed different mediums of painting,sculpture and interior design by way of an open sky,ostentatious buildings floating on the clouds,an aeroplane with faces of women visible from its cubic windows,and statues of two children one floating by a crystal chandelier set in the middle of the room,and the other on the floor. Even the walls are covered with a familiar pink-and-white checked cloth. We wanted to make sure that it looks like a combination between a home and a little bit of school,where they have school uniforms translating into home décor, said Tagra.

We happened to give a lecture last year in Chandigarh to 150 students. And 90 per cent of them said that they want to go abroad. So the documentation of some of the students,for instance the girls in the aeroplane,are there on the wall, explained Thukral.

The exhibition is on at Nature Morte,Gurgaon,till January 31.

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